Christmas star, Christmas rose… why these plants have become traditional for the end-of-year celebrations ?

Les fleurs à offrir à Noël. Midi Libre – L. D.

Even if the fir tree is the undisputed tree during this holiday season, certain plants and flowers are also the stars of Christmas…

Christmas tradition enthusiasts are not satisfied with just one fir tree. Although it is a central and essential element of these end-of-year celebrations, it can be accompanied by several other plants.

The Christmas star

The poinsettia, nicknamed the Christmas star. Midi Libre – L. D.

The poinsettia, nicknamed the Christmas star, is a houseplant that has the advantage of blooming at Christmas. With its very pronounced red color, it is perfectly in the Christmas theme, even if there are white or cream colored ones.

Several legends surround this plant. The first is Aztec: a goddess in the midst of heartbreak bled from the heart and the drops of blood colored the plant.

The second, Mexican, is related to Christmas. A little girl offered a bouquet of leaves to Jesus by placing it in front of the nativity scene of a church on Christmas Eve. It was then that the leaves miraculously turned this bright red.

The Christmas rose

The hellebore, nicknamed the Christmas rose. Midi Libre – L. D.

The hellebore, nicknamed the Christmas rose, is a cold-resistant plant that blooms in winter. Several legends concern this plant as well.

In Roman mythology, it is said to have allowed Heracles to no longer be bewitched by Hera. It is also said to have a protective power against evil spirits.

But for its connection with the Christmas celebration, we must look at the story told by the Christian religion. During the passage of the Three Wise Men and the countless gifts intended for Jesus, the shepherdess Madelon, having nothing to offer, began to cry. An angel made a flower grow from her tears shed in the snow.

The Christmas hyacinth

The hyacinth, a bulb to offer at Christmas. Midi Libre – L. D.

This perennial bulbous plant owes its name to the handsome prince Hyacinthus with whom the god Apollo was in love. The prince was killed during a discus throw. His blood flowed, from there the flower was born. It is offered at Christmas.

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