Traditional Christmas Flowers and their Meanings

Christmas time is awash with symbolic holiday flowers and plants that have deep cultural meanings. As we insert poinsettias, amaryllis, and holly berries into our holiday decorations and celebrations, few pause to consider why these species in particular have become so intertwined with our commemoration of Christmas. Yet understanding their backstories provides intriguing historical context that enriches our festive traditions.

So let's take a closer look at some of the traditional christmas flowers and plants and discover what they represented to generations past. We'll see how their significance was cultivated over centuries and transported across seas until they became synonymous with our modern Christmas rituals.

Poinsettias

Perhaps no red christmas flower is more emblematic of Christmas than the poinsettia. With their bright red blooms and green leaves, they lend splashy color to our holiday decor. However, their connection to Christmas began centuries ago, as a Mexican legend tells:

A young girl in Mexico was upset because she couldn't afford a gift for the Christmas Eve service. As she walked to the church in tears, angels gathered petals from flowers along the way to present to her - and where the petals fell, the beautiful red poinsettia grew. Ever since, the flower has been considered a symbol of Christmas in Mexico. It is also popular among christmas flowers in Middleboro MA and all over the world.

It wasn't until the 19th century that a U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, was so taken with the flower that he brought it back to America, where it quickly became incorporated into our own Christmas rituals. Its Latin name, Euphorbia pulcherrima, translates to "most beautiful." No doubt it has enriched many a Christmas celebration in the years since and is easily found at almost all the florists in Middleboro MA and beyond!

Holly and Mistletoe

These age-old Christmas plants are rich with pagan mythology and early Christian symbolism. Their usage during Midwinter festivals in Europe long predates Christianity, but clergy adapted them as representations of Christ.

The sharp, prickly leaves of holly were thought to resemble Christ's crown of thorns, while its red berries symbolized His blood. Mistletoe was believed to have healing powers and foster peace among enemies - references to Christ reconciling humanity with God. Kissing under the mistletoe is believed to have originated from druid ceremonies, in which kisses exchanged goodwill.

Both plants were so integral to Midwinter parties of old that their inclusion spread globally along with Victorian Christmas traditions. Today they remain top choices for festive christmas flower arrangements, wreaths, centerpieces or, sprigs above doorways, still lending festive greenery and scarlet bursts of color that harmonize beautifully with the season.

Amaryllis

Amaryllis may be lesser known as a Christmas flower than poinsettias or holly berries, but its trumpet-shaped blooms become available for the holidays nonetheless. They are among the best christmas flowers to send to loved ones! Their name comes from Greek, meaning "to sparkle," referring to their dazzling colors like scarlet, fire-engine red and snowy white.

Unlike plants that grow outdoors year-round, amaryllis must be pampered in pots. This likely factored into its symbolic association with the enclosed, cozy atmosphere of Christmas for Europeans. It also blooms reliably in winter and its cheery color brightens dark windowsills, making amaryllis a welcome holiday addition indoors.

Looking for a local Marion flower shop that delivers beautiful fresh christmas centerpiece flowers with quality service? Look no further than Reynolds Flowers. Ordering is simple - just visit our website, browse our arrangements and gifts or let our professional designers create a custom bouquet just for your recipient. Get your flower delivery in Cape Cod!