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Indian fig - Opuntia ficus-indica


Indian fig - Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae)

The coat of arms of Mexico depicts a Mexican golden eagle, perched upon an Opuntia cactus, devouring a snake. According to the official history of Mexico, the coat of arms is inspired by an Aztec legend regarding the founding of Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs, then a nomadic tribe, were wandering throughout Mexico in search of a divine sign that would indicate the precise spot upon which they were to build their capital. Their god Huitzilopochtli had commanded them to find an eagle devouring a snake, perched atop a cactus that grew on a rock submerged in a lake. After two hundred years of wandering, they found the promised sign on a small island in the swampy Lake Texcoco. It was there they founded their new capital, Tenochtitlan. The cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica; Nahuatl: tenochtli), full of fruits, is the symbol for the island of Tenochtitlan.



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I do love reading all your little snips of information Healer......Thankyou.......

13 Jan, 2010

 

yw milky! :o))

13 Jan, 2010

 

Stunning........

16 Jan, 2010



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This photo is of species Cactaceae.

This photo is of "Cactaceae - Cactus Family" in Healerwitch's garden

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