The Different Meanings of Christmas Flowers

During Christmastime, we are often reminded of seasons past spent with those we love. When those closest to us have passed on, one may want to honor their time by adorning their memorial with a beautiful holiday arrangement. Christmas flowers are the perfect selection for creating a beautifully personalized piece for the holiday season. Each flower and plant selection has a symbolic meaning that is as beautiful as the plant itself.

Poinsettia

Poinsettias are synonymous with the Christmas season. The vibrant leaves of the Poinsettia are known as bracts and come in shades of red, white and pink. Most people believe the star shape of the bract represents the Star of Bethlehem which guided the Wise Men to Jesus. A Poinsettia’s red leaves signify the blood of Christ and its white leaves symbolize the purity of the Son of God.

Another legend of the Poinsettia tells the story of a young Mexican girl who brought Poinsettias to a church altar on Christmas Eve. She was too poor to buy a gift and felt ashamed of her plants. She placed her bouquet of weeds at the foot of the church’s nativity scene, when suddenly the bracts of the Poinsettia began to bloom, revealing a bright red shade. The congregation considered this a miracle and from then on referred to Poinsettias as "Flores de Noche Buena" or "Flowers of the Holy Night".

Holly

The red and green shades of the holly plant represent the two most popular colors of the holiday season. A Holly plant’s pointed green leaves are said to symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, while the red berries signify the blood he shed.

Christmas Rose

The Christmas Rose is associated with Jesus’ birth and the story of a young shepherdess named Madelon. Madelon was saddened that she did not have a gift to offer baby Jesus and, as she wept, an angel appeared. While consoling Madelon, the angel swept away snow to reveal a collection of white flowers with pink tips. This cluster of flowers would be Madelon’s gift to the newborn and thus, the tradition of the Christmas Rose was born.

Mistletoe

The story of this traditional Christmas flower dates back to the druids who used this plant during their winter celebrations. Because of its ability to stay green for periods of time without being rooted, the druids believed Mistletoe possessed magical powers that brought good luck and warded off evil spirits.

At Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery, we have a beautiful selection of silk flower bouquet choices for all seasons and needs. Our silk flower arrangement are designed to stay securely in the vase without the worry of it blowing or floating away. Visit us to discuss our seasonal and special occasion bouquet placement options available for your loved one’s gravesite.

Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery is a non-profit cemetery located at 6100 Three Notch Road in Mobile, Alabama. We are here to help those who are in need and make it a priority to preserve the memories of your loved ones in a dignified, honorable and comfortable place. Visit us online at www.mobilememorialgardens.org or on our Facebook page. If you have suffered a loss and would like to speak to us, please call us at 251-661-1333.