We are getting closer to Christmas, therefore it is a good time to learn about the history of this magnificent and beautiful flower that decorates many homes at Christmas time and that is that the nochebuena flower is native to Mexico.
Nochebuena flower dates back to pre-Hispanic times and which the ancient Mexicas called Cuetlaxóchitl-a word that comes from the union of two words, “Cuetlaxtli” which means leather and “Xóchitl” which means “flower” or “the queen of flowers”. flowers”- or “flower that withers” or “flower with petals resistant as leather”. For the Aztecs, its red color symbolized the blood of the sacrifices that they offered to the sun to renew their strength. But later it received its scientific name – Euphorbia pulcherrim.
History of the Nochebuena (poinsettia flower)
It is said that Moctezuma and Nezahualcóyotl cultivated this magnificent flower in their gardens in Tenochtitlan, which was considered a symbol of purity and its use was ceremonial, ornamental and medicinal. After the arrival of the Spanish people, the monks renamed it the nochebuena flower for blooming during the Christmas festivities.
Nochebuena around the world
Later, The Nochebuena flower spread to various parts of the world such as the United States where it is known as Poinsettia in honor of the diplomat Joel Roberts Poinsett who represented México in that country, it was also taken to Europe by a Scotsman named Robert Buist and used to decorate the Basilica of Saint Peter on December 24, 1899.
Currently, The Nochebuena has become a representative element of Christmas and which over 200 years has undergone modifications and there are around 300 varieties of this flower, but the most common are: Red, white, ivory, and marbled.
Finally, if you are a lover of this flower and the Christmas season, you should consider going to Taxco in Guerrero, México to celebrate the National Day of Nochebuena flower, which is celebrated on December 8th in the magical town of Taxco.