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I had never given much thought to the meaning of the poinsettia until I sat down to paint it. Many of us are familiar with the flower’s significance in Vietnamese folklore, but what about this radiant bloom that has become a beloved symbol of Christmas in Western culture? Interestingly, its association with the holiday season is not as ancient as one might think. It began only in the early 19th century when the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, discovered the plant and introduced it to the world. The name Poinsettia, which we use today, honors his legacy.