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Meaning of Flowers |
Flowers hold a special significance for everybody. No matter the occasion, a bright bouquet of blossoms can be used to bring life to any room – and Christmas is no different. At a time of year when most plants have withered, having a colorful arrangement of these traditional flowers around is almost a necessity. Though most are unaware how they became associated with the holiday, the festive season would not be the same without beautiful floral arrangements to compliment other Christmas decorations.
Holly
With its full green leaves and brilliant red berries, the holly plant contains the Christmas colors and, some say, is the source of the custom. It is used most often as a component of wreaths, but works just as well alone. Some consider it a symbol of the male and, thus, it is often combined with ivy.
Ivy
With holly believed to represent men, ivy is often used create a balance: it is said to signify woman. When combined, tradition holds the two bring luck and happiness to relationships. Further, because it is a sturdy plant that grows again and again each year, some use it as a display of continuing affection, true love, fidelity, eternity and rebirth.
Mistletoe
It’s strange to think this parasitic plant has become associated with such a happy holiday. Though it has been popular since Roman times, it didn’t become a Christmas decoration until the 18th century. As everyone knows, kissing someone beneath the mistletoe is a fun part of the season, but if you’re not careful, the lip lock could be as dangerous as the poisonous berries.
Poinsettia
A prized plant during the Aztec dynasty in Mexico, the poinsettia blossoms around Christmastime. Believed by the ancients as a symbol of purity, it was grafted into holiday tradition by Mexican Christians and has spread throughout the world. According to legend, a child in Mexico had no gift to put in the manger at his local church and, being upset, picked some weeds by the roadside. Upon entering the church, his gift from the heart is said to have changed into the star-shaped flowers.
Christmas Cactus
It may sound strange, but many countries in the Western hemisphere have a tradition of giving this special cactus that originated in Brazil. The Christmas cactus is a distant relative of the prickly desert variety, meaning you will be giving your loved ones a bush with gorgeous flowers and holly-like leaves instead of a green stump with a bunch of painful spines.
Christmas Rose
This flower is associated predominantly with English custom, which holds a shepherdess witnessed the 3 wise men and shepherds taking their gifts to the baby Jesus. Wanting to join them and having no gift to offer, an angel appeared and brushed aside the snow to reveal this beautiful flower – which is not a rose at all!
| MONTH |
FLOWER |
January |
Carnations |
February |
Violets |
March |
Jonquils |
April |
Sweet peas |
May |
Lilies of the valley |
June |
Roses |
July |
Larkspur |
August |
Gladiola |
September |
Asters |
October |
Calendula |
November |
Chrysanthemums |
December |
Narcissus |
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