One of many jacarandas in the historic centro of san miguel

One of many jacarandas in the historic centro of san miguel

As we greet April in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, we continue to revel in the blooming, lavender-colored jacaranda trees. Like the cherry blossom trees in Washington, DC, they grace the town’s streets. In addition, here, we can view from rooftops the surrounding hills blanketed, ever so briefly, by a light shade of purple.

At the other end of this color spectrum, we can also appreciate deep purple/aubergine shades during Semana Santa. The Virgin de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows) is enveloped in a velvet purple cloak often contrasted by white Easter lilies. The image below is of Jesus Christ in a purple robe on Easter day. (Note: his garment is embroidered with gold.)

Personally, I’ve been fascinated by how this religious tradition seems interwoven with the natural world. One mirrors the other. During the forty days of Lent the Jacaranda mimosifolia brings a sense of rebirth at the time of the Equinox. In addition, its magical, mauve floresence appears on a previously barren tree. Its foliage pops out later — no competition with green, making for an even more stunning statement.

Sadly, the delicate petals quickly succumb to gusts of wind — a common phenomenon here with daily transitions of warm days to cool nights. Sidewalks, streets, car windshields, even one’s hair become “decorated.” As the author, Alberto Ruy Sanchez, once wrote: “when the jacaranda flowers fall, the sky blooms on the ground.”

From my own poetic perspective, there is a certain synchronicity with the cultural calendar. During Semana Santa the color purple, laden with symbolism, is revered. Below, is a street carpeted with shreds of dyed sawdust, yellow chamomile flowers, candles and oranges. Cloaked in a deep purple velvet robe is the bereft Virgin Mary. Reaching further back in time we see the chamomile flowers once used in pagan rituals to enhance positive energy, joy and calmness.

 
 

Not simply in churches, home altars but also along streets adorned with paper flags or posters, does the color purple appear. Jacarandas are not only found in fancy neighborhoods either. Contrasting with shacks or a car repair garage are some of the most glorious ones in town.

 
 

Like Christianity, introduced to the New World from Europe, jacarandas were also imported but, in this case, from South America, in particular Brazil. The Japanese imperial landscape designer, Tatsugoro Matsumoto, was invited by the president, Porfirio Diaz in the early 20th century to embellish Chapultepec and the Roma district in Mexico City. To accomplish his work Matsumoto founded a jacaranda nursery. Later, when asked to replicate Washington DC’s cherry tree allées (a former gift from Japan to DC in 1912), Matsumoto, an experienced horticulturist said: “no way”. A climate zone could not be altered by political decree…

 
 

Much symbolism resides in the color purple for both European royalty and Christianity. The combination of the two primary colors: red and blue, with red symbolizing sin and blue, purity, brings a transformation: redemption. For Catholics during Lent, purple is associated with penance, prayer and personal sacrifice. And while purple may signify pain and mourning, it is ultimately associated with the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Particularly in Catholic Mexico, where the Virgin is highly revered, royal blue and amethyst purple dominate and are contrasted by pure white, aromatic Easter lilies.

Below: purple and white paper lace-like flags above cobblestoned streets.

 
 

And, let’s not forget that one can indulge in a purple palette year-around as this young woman has chosen for her Quinciniera dress. Personally, as I head north, I look forward to lilacs in my backyard, which, unlike non-scented jacarandas offer a distinctive perfume.