π Flowers in Christian Symbolism π
From the Old Testament to our
modern era, flowers were often used by religions as powerful spiritual symbols.
Plants and trees symbolize a Christian symbol or an icon, but can also be
figures, characters or colours used to represent abstract ideas, concepts or
images depicting an idea. These religious icons as Christian symbols have a
sacred significance. Flowers and plants perceive Christianity as God's creation
to express and share with the people divine goodness, truth and beauty the aim
of Creation.
Stephan Lochner - Madonna in the Rose Bower |
The Bible is one of the largest
areas where plants have taken a religious spiritual symbolic role. In Christian
culture, flowers were once connected with decadence. In the middle Ages,
Christians have appreciated the beauty of nature and regarded this as proof
that God created the world. One of the first plants in the New Testament is
Phoenix dactylifera especially plant branches. This plant has become an
important part of the Christian celebration of Jesus' triumphal entry into
Jerusalem. It also became an important symbol in the Christian Easter holiday. Passionflower is used especially to represent Christ's suffering and
sacrifice, and each part of the flower represents a different aspect of the
Passion of Christ. Passionflower is generally a symbol of Jesus' scourging, the
culmination with thorns, and crucifixion. The spiraled tendrils symbolize the
lash of Christ’s scourging. The central flower column is a symbol of the pillar
of the Scourging. Crown of thorns is symbolized by the 72 radial filaments. The
three nails are represented by the top three stigmas of the flower. The lower
five anthers symbolize the five wounds. The red stains represent Christ’s blood
drops. The round fruit represents the world Christ came to save. The Fragrance
symbolizes the spices prepared by the Holy women. This flower gives specific
reasons and visualizations to the Christian faith. It provides a visual meaning
to the teachings of the Gospel story and the eras where there were no printed
catechisms. The passion flower has a number of symbols found in flowers
individually other religions and traditions. Christian symbolism in art
presents an accurate graphical representation describing people or objects of
religious significance. Ornamental flowers and plants as Christian symbols
represent:
The Holy Trinity: Flowers
which are separated into three parts; colors and leaves, are symbols of the
mystery of the Trinity: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Three petals that
compose a flower are associated with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but
absolute metaphor for the trinity is Trifolium repens. What creates a unit is
each section taken as an entity. Aquilegia spp., a multi segmented flower is
known as the characteristic of the Holy Spirit.
Another flower that has often
been associated with the Holy Spirit is Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise)
especially because of its similarity with the bird. The Holy Spirit is also
symbolized by white tulips and lilies with three petals, symbolize the Trinity
and triple virtues of justice, charity and hope.
Virgin Mary, Mother of God: Lilium
candidum is the quintessential flower that represents innocence, virtue and
purity. White lily was associated with the Virgin Mary since the early Christianity,
a seeming legend from the second century, narrates that her grave was decorated
with lilies after her Assumption into heaven. The petals of white lilies
symbolize purity, virginity, bright and radiant soul of Virgin Mary. For
centuries, painters have
frequently shown a Virgin Mary around the mystic lily flower, over time Lilium
became a Christian symbol of purity. This devotional painting determined
illustrating other scenes of the Virgin Mary with Jesus, or with saints, also
in gardens with lilies and other flowers (Fig. 2).
Figure 1. Martin Schongauer - The Annunciation |
Multitude of legends about
roses, considered the "queen of flowers", symbolizing the Virgin
Mary, took amplitude in the 12th century. For example, it says that when the
Virgin Mary was announced by the Archangel Gabriel that she would become the
mother of Jesus, Son of God, she blushed and Rosa Alba became pink. Protected
by thorns, rose is a beautiful flower, representing beauty, secrets, life,
blood, death and rebirth. Moreover, the rose is a messenger of divine and pure
love, expressiveness, color, perfect shape and scent denotes the thorns role of
Virgin. Mary in salvation history as the Mother of God, who agreed to be
crowned with thorns, and shed His blood on the cross for His love for mankind.
When in a flower arrangement a red rose and a one white are side by side,
symbolizes the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In the fourteenth
century the poet Dante called Mary "the Rose, in which the divine Word
became flesh....” Many artists of the fifteenth century painted Mary with
roses, often in a rose garden (Fig. 1).
In Christianity flowers have a special
place because remind of what Jesus did and the promises that he made.
Flowers became common in
religious and ceremonial uses for Christians by the fourth century, being used
for weddings, name day, funerals, church decorations, different occasions,
holydays and even cut.
The religious significance of flowers in Christian
Symbolism is:
Anemone coronaria |
↷ Anemone
Fam. Ranunculaceae
Latin name: Anemone x hybrida
Common
name: Windflowers, Anemone
Reference: Matthew 5:1-2, 7:28, 6:25-34, 10:5-20
These flowers are found as described in the crucifixion scenes and have been
associated with the sorrow of Virgin Mary, for the Passion of Christ, with
death and worry. Anemones occurred on Golgotha where Jesus was to be crucified,
so red spots on petals symbolize the bloodshed by Christ. At the beginning of
the Church, anemones were used to symbolize the Holy Trinity.
Iris sibirica |
↷ Iris
Fam.
Iridaceae
Latin name: Iris Lazica
Common name: Bearded Iris
Reference: Exodus
2:3, Matthew 6:28, 6: 29, Luke 2:35, 1 Kings 7:22
Iris is found in the works of
Flemish masters, as a religious symbol, often called a rival of lily the flower
of Virgin Mary. Iris appears in their paintings together with lily or replacing
it. The symbolism of this flower comes
from the fact of its sharp leaves as sword, was taken as an allusion that could
riddle the soul of Virgin Mary and cause pain due to Christ's Passion.
Spanish painters adopted iris as an attribute of Mary, the Queen of Heaven,
symbol, of faith, hope, light, divine protection, wisdom and value.
↷ Daisy
Fam.
Asteraceae
Latin Name: Chrysanthemum leucanthemum
Common name: Daisy
Reference:
Romans 3:27, 3:28
Daisies, flowers with an amazing simplicity, were used in
Christian art paintings in the late 15th century, the symbolism of which is
associated with is the Jesus’ innocence and candor.
These flowers are
associated with innocence, beauty, salvation, modesty, purity and love. Daisies
represent also tears, blood, fear, death and perseverance.
Passiflora incarnata |
↷ Passiflora
Fam.
Passifloraceae
Latin name: Passiflora incarnata
Common name: Passion Flower,
Passionvine
The flower is associated with the passion and the emblem of Jesus,
flower known under different names such as Christ’s crown, Christ’s thorn or
Christ’s bouquet. Due to the way of growth of this plant, it can be said that
Passiflora need support, similar to how Christians need divine assistance. The
plant grows easily back if it is cut, the same as those who have in their
hearts the love of God to overcome evil in this world.
Cultivar of Hyacinthus orientalis |
↷ Hyacinth
Fam.
Asparagaceae
Latin Name: Hyacinthus
Common name: Hyacinth
Reference: Revelation
9:17, Song of Solomon 5:14
Hyacinth is considered as a symbol of Christian
prudence, constancy, desire of heaven and peace of mind.
Hyssopus officinalis |
↷ Hyssop
Family:
Lamiaceae
Latin Name: Hyssopus officinalis
Common name: Hyssop
Reference: John
19:29-30, John 19:29, Leviticus 14:52, Leviticus 14:4, 1 Kings 4:33
Because
this plant grows among rocks in solitary places, penance and humility is
assigned as symbol. Hyacinth has purgative qualities, for which symbolizes
innocence therefore Baptism.
Hedera |
↷ Ivy
Family: Araliaceae
Latin Name: Hedera helix
Common name: Ivy
Reference: 1 Corinthians 9:25, 2 Maccabees 14:33, 2 Maccabees
6:7, 3 Maccabees 2:29
Ivy was always symbolically associated with death and
immortality. Because it is all the time green has always been a symbol of
eternal life and fidelity. The strong strain header cling to support, thus, the
plant typifies immortal attachment and affection.
Carnation |
↷ Carnation
Family:
Caryophyllaceae
Latin name: Dianthus caryophyllus
Common name: Carnation, Nail
Flowers
References: Psalm 118:24
These flowers remind of nails with which Jesus
was crucified [10]. Red Carnation is associated with pure love, dedication and
marital faithfulness. Christian legends assert that pink carnation appeared
when Jesus Christ carried his cross on the path of pain. Virgin Mary grieved
the torment of his son, crying, and from her tears that fell on earth sprang
the first carnations.
Columbine |
↷ Columbine
Family: Ranunculaceae
Latin name: Aquilegia
vulgaris
Common name: Columbine
Reference: Isaiah 11:2
The name comes from the
Latin word columba, which means dove. Also, this flower is compared with a
dove, and, therefore, Columbine was used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Seven
flowers on a stem symbolically represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Aquilegia
is assigned with melancholy and suffering.
Red Rose |
↷ Red Rose
Family: Rosaceae
Latin
name: Rosa
Common name: Red rose
Reference: Song of Solomon 2:1, Proverbs 27:2,
Hebrews 13:8, Isaiah 35:1
Red rose is supposed to have been born of the blood
of Christ and thereby is a sign of charity, martyrdom, and resurrection. Red
rose is linked with blood lost by Jesus when He was crucified on the cross and
the Holy Grail - the vessel in which Joseph from Arimathea collected the blood
of Christ. Related to this sacrifice of bloodshed, the rose becomes the symbol
of mystical rebirth. Thus Mircea Eliade says that "human life must be
consumed completely as to exhaust all the possibilities of creation and
manifestation. Even abruptly interrupted by a violent death, she seeks to
continue in a new form - plant, flower, and fruit “. The name of Rosary
(latin name Rosarium), which are strung beads used to keep note of prayers,
derived also from the word rose. In Christianity are known three sizes: the small Rosarium which
contains 33 small beads plus 5 large beads (meaning
the age of Jesus and the 5 wounds of his), middle
Rosary with 63 plus 7 (the age of Mary and the
seven joys and pain) and large Rosary with 150
beads plus 15 (meaning the number of psalms).
White Lily |
↷ White Lily
Family: Liliaceae
Latin name: Lilium candidum
Common name: White Lily
Reference: Hosea 14:4-7, Song of Solomon
2:1-2, 2 Chronicles 4:4-5, Song of Solomon 6:2,
Matthew 6:28, lowly, 2Co 8:9
Lilium candidum or the white Madonna lily
is the most recognized symbol for the Virgin Mary
(Ferguson, 1975). The white petals represent Mary’s
flesh and the yellow pollen covered stamens is her
soul. According to Christian tradition lily was born
from the tears of regret fallen of Eva when she left
the Garden of Eden. In Christian iconography, the
lily is more associated with the Virgin Mary and
with the Archangel Gabriel, being painted with a
lily in his hand whiles the Annunciation,
symbolizing chastity. Joseph is also sometimes
painted with a bouquet of lilies bloom. Strain of lily
symbolizes Mary religiosity; the leaves typify her
humility, white petals the virginity, and perfume of
lily divinity. The flower becomes an attribute of all
saints. In some paintings Jesus is represented as
judging the world with a lily in His mouth, in this
case, the flower represents compassion, while a
sword lily symbolizes innocence and guilt.
White Rose |
↷ White Rose
Family: Rosaceae
Latin name: Rosa Alba
Common name: White rose
Reference: Corinthians
Since the 11th century, the rose was also
accepted as a symbol of Christianity, later gaining a
new significance, largely due allegorical poem “The
Divine Comedy” of Dante Aligheri. Rosa candida
the white rose given by Beatrice to her beloved
lover, and Rosa mystica - white rose of the Virgin
Mary, both from the third part "Paradise" (as
Hell and Purgatory) became a symbol of purity,
innocence, and divine love, taken in religious
iconography. The mystic white rose of heaven, the
rose without thorns was a medieval symbol of
virginity, purity, and devotion of Virgin Mary. In
the middle Ages only virgins could wear the crown
of white roses being a symbol of innocence.
Cyclamen |
↷ Cyclamen
Family: Myrsinaceae
Latin name: Cyclamen hederifolium
Common name: Cyclamen
Reference: Luke 12:27
This beautiful flower was dedicated to Virgin
Mary. Red stains in the center of the flower
symbolize the pain of Immaculate Heart of Virgin
Mary. Cyclamen is sometimes called "bleeding
nun".
Mallow |
↷ Mallow
Family: Malvaceae
Latin name: Malvasylvestris
Common name: Mallow
Reference: Job 30:4, Job 6:6
Mallow leaves have a greater symbolic
meaning than flowers, symbolizing in Christianity
and in many other cultures, the desire for
forgiveness.
Narcissus/daffodil |
↷ Narcissus/daffodil
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Latin name: Narcissus pseudonarcissus
Common name: Narcissus, daffodil
Reference: Romans 16:11, Isaiah 35:1
The symbolism of this flower is traced back
from the Greek myth of Narcissus, the beautiful
youth who fell in love with his own reflection in a
river and drowned trying to embrace it. Narcissus
symbolizes self-love, selfishness and indifference. After his death, the beautiful young were reborn
in the shape of a flower. Narcissus is used to
symbolize selfishness, the triumph of divine love,
sin over death and sacrifice. Narcissus reflex the
true sign of the coming spring, when daffodils
appear, it is said that bad weather does not return
back for a few months, so it is really daffodil flower
that heralds spring. In large part, this symbol is
linked with trumpet shaped flower which is also its
religious symbolism, the flower of the Resurrection.
Moreover, the daffodil appears around the holidays
of Easter, always announcing the death and
resurrection of Jesus and calling people to church in
those days. It is an advertisement of judgment and
thereby is associated with a perpetual "memento
mori". How it was mentioned, Narcissus flower
have a contradictory symbolism, a symbol of death,
but in the same time a symbol of life, known
since ancient times.
Violet |
↷ Violet
Family: Violaceae
Latin name: Viola papilionacea
Common name: Violet
Reference: 2 Samuel 13
The violet is the emblem of humility, thus
the phrase "shrinking violet". Because of the three
characteristic leaves, medieval monks called violets
as "flowers of Trinity". Also among the Christians
of those times was widespread belief that the violets
were, until the day of Jesus' crucifixion, flowers that
raised up their calyx with haughty to heaven, after
the crucifixion, the shadow of the cross fell upon them, and the flowers bowed their “heads” as a sign
of embarrassment to the persecution that has
undergone Jesus.
By extension, it refers to the Incarnation of
Jesus Christ. In Christianity and art reflecting the
religion, violet is a symbol of modesty and
humbleness. In paintings of the Renaissance, the
Virgin Mary holding the Jesus child in her arms, is
often depicted with purple flowers, signifying her
modesty but perhaps as the premonition about the
death of Jesus, as in the painting "Madonna and
child with flowers" by Leonardo da Vinci. Another
artwork in which violets appear in the background is
"Madonna of humility" of the artist Giovanni Paolo.
Orchid |
↷ Orchid
Latin name: Orchid spp.
Fam. Orchidaceae
Common name: Orchid
These flowers represent the blood of Jesus
Christ from the Gethsemane garden and Calvary.
In one of the legends of early Christianity, it relates
how a monk stole the hand of a statue depicting the
Jesus child.
While hiding the monk in the mountains, he
lost the way and, before dying of exhaustion and
hunger, he buried the stolen treasure. The following
year, in the place where the monk had hidden the
precious object arouse an orchid, a flower whose
roots reproduce exactly a child's hands.
In Christian iconography, the prickly plant teasel is used to symbolize the sufferings of Christ and the martyrs. Its thorny stalks recall Christs suffering under the crown of thorns, the symbol of grief and sorrow (Matt. 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:5).
↷ Teasel
In Christian iconography, the prickly plant teasel is used to symbolize the sufferings of Christ and the martyrs. Its thorny stalks recall Christs suffering under the crown of thorns, the symbol of grief and sorrow (Matt. 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:5).
Poinsettia |
↷ Poinsettia: It is a symbol of purity. Flower is
associated with faith, goodness and trust in people.
Other flowers used as religious symbol are: Aloe,
Centaurea, Cephalaria, Chrysanthemum, Crocus,
Dictamus, Ficus, Fern, Gladiolus, Lathyrus,
Lavandula, Philadelphus.
3. Conclusions
Flowers, sacred symbols serve as the
evocation of the principles of faith, and faith history.
Flowers are powerful tools for crystallization of
religious devotion and faithful, elements that help
the development and focus of faith. Also, flowers
are a form of communication that exceeds
international barriers of language, nationality or
culture. From immemorial times flowers are bearing
symbols. The meanings, the language of flowers
have their origins in cultures of early civilization
and later also in Christianity. Flowers are part of the
most important occasions in people lives. Flowers
are constantly present at weddings, baptism,
birthdays, funerals and important events, being
a piece of people feelings.
Nature and revelation testify the love of God.
Flowers are some of the most beautiful creations of
nature, their colors attract, the widespread fragrance
refreshes every human being, and their fluorescence
delights every soul. Flowers symbolize beauty and
positivity.
The flowers have a specific meaning, a
symbolism that people unconsciously or consciously
respect it, but art communication through flowers is
different and sensitive. People give flowers to
express nonverbally both love, sense of respect or
friendship. Everyone knows that a red rose
symbolizes love and it’s not recommended to send
yellow roses to a person who is grieving or Lily is a
symbol of innocence but also of fertility, of spiritual
love, of integrity and of hope, and White lily
represent chastity, purity and dignity. Tulip is the
flower of femininity.
Because of its shape similar to a heart
signifies love. Anemones are the symbol of fragility,
suitable for sensitive people. However, meanings
are associated not only to this type of flower, but for
all. Different flowers are different symbols. Each
shade and each flavor has something to say.
It is important to know that almost all the
flowers have religious significance. Science and
religion do not contradict, but complement each
other.