The Legend of the Prickly Pear (Summer Inspiration!)

The prickly pear is, in our opinion, nature’s most fashionable cactus.

Scientifically known as Opuntia, and called “nopal” in Mexico, it is not just delicious in margaritas (read to the bottom for a Fringe-approved recipe!), but the prickly pear is legendary among plant enthusiasts, fashionistas, Western artists, and historians. 

It’s no surprise that some of our favorite Fringe wild rag and summer scarf inspiration comes from the famous prickly pear cactus. 

In the heart of what is now Central America, the Aztecs roamed, seeking a place to call their own. They were guided by the prophecies of their gods, particularly Huitzilopochtli (say that 10 times fast!), the god of war and sun. 

He promised them a new home marked by this sign: An eagle perched on a cactus, eating a serpent.

For years, the Aztecs wandered, always on the lookout for this divine symbol. And then, one fateful day, in the middle of a marshy lake, they spotted it—the eagle, perched on top of a nopal cactus (the prickly pear), with a serpent in its beak.

This was it! The sign they had been waiting for.

The prickly pear cactus, with its resilient nature and fruit, became the symbol of their new home, Tenochtitlán, which is modern-day Mexico City. Its pads, or nopales, provided food, while its fruit, the prickly pear, was a beautiful reminder of their god and destiny.

The Aztecs built their hometown city around this location, and the image of the eagle, the serpent, and the cactus became immortalized on their shields and banners. Today, this same image lives on in the Mexican flag.

The prickly pear was never just a plant, it was the symbol of a long journey home.

What’s So Special About the Prickly Pear?

Once discovered, the Aztecs considered the cactus sacred and used its juice to treat burns and other ailments.

Today, it remains an important food source for both people and wildlife.

Nopales, the pads of the cactus, are made into a variety of products, including shampoos and creams. Unlike most cacti, the entire plant is edible, not just its flowers and fruit. It's often referred to as "la planta de vida" (the plant of life) due to its remarkable health benefits.

It is rich in antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, it is known to help regulate blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, have antiviral properties, and is even thought to alleviate hangovers, which are often caused by other plants, like the agave.

Do we need more reason to make a prickly pear margarita?

Outside of all the plant’s special properties, the nopales, with their sharp spines, are the ultimate accessory—both for the plant’s protection, and also on clothing, fabrics, designs, and women’s fashion scarves.

The Symbolism of the Prickly Pear Fringe Scarves

When you put on your clothes and accessories each morning, you’re really setting an intention.

Style is a huge part of the Western lifestyle, but so is meaning and purpose.

When you wear a prickly pear green or pink silk scarf or silk twilly scarf from Fringe, you are literally tying on a symbol and intention of:

Prickly pear cacti are known for their ability to thrive in harsh environments. They symbolize resilience, strength, and the ability to overcome adversity.

In many cultures, the cactus is seen as a symbol of life, renewal, and regeneration due to its ability to store water and sustain themselves in the desert.

The prickly pear, with its spines and legendary beginnings, is believed to represent Divine Protection. 

If these intentions speak to you, or you simply dig the look of the prickly pear cactus like we do, shop our silk scarves online and ‘tie your Prickly Pear on’ today!

*Coming soon, there will be an expansion to the prickly pear scarf and wild rag options! Stay tuned on our social media for the dates it will be available.*

The Fringe Prickly Pear Margarita Recipe

Ok, finally, let’s get to the good stuff!

This is our Fringe Scarves-approved, prickly pear margarita recipe that will add a fun twist to your summer.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec 
• 1 oz. Prickly Pear syrup (we’ll show you how to make your own with sugar, water, and a couple prickly pears, but you can also buy it)
• Salt 
• Lime wedges 
• Ice

• Carefully remove the outer skin of 2-3 prickly pears. Look out for the tiny spines (use gloves if needed).
• Cut the prickly pears into chunks and place them in a blender.
• Add about ½ cup of water and blend until smooth.
• Strain the mixture through a fine mesh colander into a saucepan to remove the seeds and pulp.
• Add ~¼ cup of sugar to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
• Reduce heat and let simmer for ~10 minutes until it thickens slightly.
• Remove from heat and let it cool. Store the syrup in the refrigerator until ready to use.

• Run a lime wedge around the rim of your margarita glass and dip the rim in salt.
• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Add tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, Cointreau (or triple sec), and prickly pear syrup to the shaker.
• Shake for about 15 seconds until well chilled.
• Garnish with limes or prickly pear, and enjoy!

TIP: You can also blend this with ice for a frozen version.

We see you now, wearing your summer scarf, sipping a prickly pear marg, taking a break in the shade from this heat.

Remember, just like the prickly pear, you too are a legend in our book.