Prickly Pear Cactus and its’ Cultural Significance
If you’ve been in the western U.S. along any freeway, you’ve probably been able to look on the sides of the road and see a reoccuring cactus. It has a typical cactus figure, the type that is most likely drawn when someone says to illustrate a cactus. Even though cacti come in all shapes and colors, there is an indication that the most commonly known cactus tends to look like the prickly pear cactus. Typical round, connected pads covered in spikes, usually green but sometimes red or purple or yellow. The Opuntia genus is commonly seen across the Americas, but mostly in Mexico and the western/south central United States. There are also many species of prickly pears that are endemic to the region in which they are from. Basically, they’re a common type of cactus that is more culturally relevant than you may think when speeding down I-5.
The iconic cactus that most people recognize actually has a lot of historical relevance to Mexico’s history, dating back centuries. The Aztecs, who were Nahuatl-speaking people who ruled most of the land that is now Mexico in the 14th through early 16th centuries, had an important myth relating to the famous cactus, one that led them to their new capital city. There was once a prophecy that, according to Huitzilopochtli, the Sun and War god, the Aztec people had to leave where they lived and search for a different place to build a city. This place was said to be where they would spot an eagle perched upon a prickly pear cactus, devouring a snake. Eventually they found the place where their future capital would be, and named it “Tenochtitlàn”, which translates to “place of the prickly pear cactus”. The ancient capital is now in the center of Mexico City, where the population around it has grown exponentially over the centuries.
If you ever look closely at the Mexican flag, you can spot the symbol of the prickly pear cactus, a symbol of hope and endurance for those who are familiar with its’ cultural significance. The image of the eagle with a snake in its’ mouth sitting on top of the cactus is seen in the middle of the flag, a recognition of the history that Mexico was created from. The Aztecs and other indigenous populations created the foundation of what Mexico has been built upon, and it is important to note the significance of the Aztec myth being a central focus of Mexican heritage seen on the flag.
The Aztecs would use the prickly pear cactus for everything that it could offer them. They used the actual paddles of the plant, called nopales, to make juice which was then used to treat burns. They also drank the juices to treat hepatitis. The nopales are also used in culinary dishes and frequently both appear in markets in Mexico and parts of the U.S.. They are said to be filled with vitamins and calcium, and people tend to recommend the new growth as the best ones to eat. This is probably due to the way that cacti push out their nutrients to their new growth, leaving the old growth tasteless and less appetizing. Opuntia blooms are spectacular to witness, and the fruit that they produce after this stage are delicious as well. Frequently used in Mexican food dishes as “tunas”, these fruits can be eaten raw or prepared with seasonings. The term “tuna” actually comes from the Haitian name for the plant. Nutritionally, the fruits of the cactus have been found to control diabetes. Both of these tend to be considered widely used in Mexican and Mexican-American diets and have significant social and cultural significance to many populations.
The Opuntia genus contains many different species, all known for their large paddles and bright fruits, but there is definitely more than what meets the eye. The significance of these cacti goes farther than the bright colors that they can be, and they have an interesting history and relevance to what has made Mexico what it is today, in a slight way. If the eagle had never found the prickly pear, the Aztec capital city would never have been where it was, which would change the whole landscape of modern day Mexico. Whenever you see the prickly pear cactus poking up from the dirt, ponder these thoughts of history, culture, and cuisine as you drive down the road.
