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Ivy
Ivy had been a symbol of eternal life in pagan religions. The Christians believe it stands for the new promise of eternal life. In England Ivy is considered to be feminine while holly is masculine.
Holly
The evergreen holly symbolises eternal life. This shrub's most conspicuous features have long been associated with Jesus Christ. The bright red berries represent the drops of blood He shed on the cross; their color also represented the burning love for God present in the hearts of the faithful. The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns the Roman soldiers placed on Jesus Christ's head.
Laurel
The first Christians in Ancient Rome decorated their homes at the Saturnalia with laurel. Pagan Romans believed laurel was sacred to the sun god Apollo. When Romans became more Christian, laurel became a symbol of Christmas.
Rosemary
Rosemary was used during the Middle Ages by housewives to spread on the floor at Christmas. As people walked on it, a pleasant aroma arose. Tradition has it that the shrub is fragrant because Mary laid the garments of the Christ Child on its branches. The night he was born, legend has it, the trees suddenly bore fruit and flowers blossomed out of season.
Christmas Rose
The Christmas Rose was originally grown in England, and is now native to the mountains of Central Europe, it blooms in the winter.
Legends link this flower with the birth of the Christ Child. One legend is that the three wise men along with shepherds were travelling together when they came upon a shepherdess named Madelon who was tending to her sheep. When she saw the gifts for the Christ child she began to weep as they all had gifts for the Christ Child while she had nothing. An angel who saw her crying, brushed the snow away, revealing a lovely white flower tipped with pink - the Chrtistmas Rose.
Poinsettia
The poinsettia is named after Joel R. Poinsett, who served as the USA's first ambassador to Mexico, from 1825-1829. He saw this indigenous plant with large scarlet leaves encircling small, greenish-yellow blossoms, which was the Mexican Christmas flower. He sent specimens back to the USA, where they flourished.
A Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia became a Christmas flower. A poor peasant girl was anxious to bring a gift in honor of the Virgin Mary to the Christmas Eve service. She had nothing ot give so she went with nothing. On the way she met an angel, who told her to pick some weeds. She did this. As by a miracle they were transformed into the bright scarlet 'flowers'. Ever since poinsettias have been popular decorations for churches and homes during the Christmas festival.
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