Let’s finish this little romp in the garden. Even I am getting tired of this little verdant romp. I think that I am ready for fall and snow. 
It is said that the anemone sprung up around the base of the Cross. Originally white it gained its red color from the drops of blood from Christ. Mary sometimes holds it in scenes of the Crucifixion.
The bramble w
as thought to be Moses’ burning bush and so also symbolizes the purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose heart burns with love but who is not consumed by lust.
I love carnations and think they get a bum rap as not being quite as sincere an expression of love as roses. But it is! Particularly a pink rose is used for newlyweds.
Ophelia:
“There’s fennel for you, and columbine.” I don’t know why I put that quote in there other than I was pleased with myself in remembering that the recently gone mad Ophelia in Hamlet mentioned this plant that somewhat resembles a dove and so represents the Holy Spirit.
As it did with the Greeks the laurel in the spiritual life goes to the victors. Often martyrs are pictured with laurel leaves around the crown of their heads. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) Like the evergreen it never fades in color and so I also a symbol of eternal life.
The pomegranate is very interesting. At my last parish it was positioned over the top of the main crucifix. Like so much Christian symbolism we took this pagan symbolism and baptized it. The pomegranate was associated with Proserpina, the goddess who returned in the spring and brought life to the world. Now it is associated with the Resurrection and the new life of Christ. It can also represent the Church as inside the pod of the pomegranate contains many seeds.
Enough with plants for now. I’ll try to dig something else up next week.
It is said that the anemone sprung up around the base of the Cross. Originally white it gained its red color from the drops of blood from Christ. Mary sometimes holds it in scenes of the Crucifixion.
The bramble w
as thought to be Moses’ burning bush and so also symbolizes the purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose heart burns with love but who is not consumed by lust.I love carnations and think they get a bum rap as not being quite as sincere an expression of love as roses. But it is! Particularly a pink rose is used for newlyweds.
Ophelia:
“There’s fennel for you, and columbine.” I don’t know why I put that quote in there other than I was pleased with myself in remembering that the recently gone mad Ophelia in Hamlet mentioned this plant that somewhat resembles a dove and so represents the Holy Spirit.As it did with the Greeks the laurel in the spiritual life goes to the victors. Often martyrs are pictured with laurel leaves around the crown of their heads. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) Like the evergreen it never fades in color and so I also a symbol of eternal life.
The pomegranate is very interesting. At my last parish it was positioned over the top of the main crucifix. Like so much Christian symbolism we took this pagan symbolism and baptized it. The pomegranate was associated with Proserpina, the goddess who returned in the spring and brought life to the world. Now it is associated with the Resurrection and the new life of Christ. It can also represent the Church as inside the pod of the pomegranate contains many seeds.
Enough with plants for now. I’ll try to dig something else up next week.
6 comments:
I think that I am ready for fall and snow.
Sorry, but I have to disagree ... this summer has been so nice! Few heat-wrenching, humid-drenching days, great blue skies, cool breezes, beautiful views of the lake, and some great sunsets...I could take this all year long!
You want to change all that with SNOW????? bite your tongue! LOL
I'll stick with summer as much as I can ...
One interesting fact about flowers...
the rose is also the symbol of Confession.
Ancient Romans believed that Cupid (Roman god of love) gave a rose to Harpocrates as a bribe for not letting on what his mother, Venus, was up to. The Rose became a symbol of confidentiality. The doors of confessionals are sometimes decorated with a rose (although not seen at St. Clare, St. Pascal, or the Shrine)
(phrase subrosa meaning 'under the rose' is for secretly or confidentially)
At the risk of being tarred and feathered, I too am a winter person. So bring on the snow!!!
Though I do agree with LM that this summer has been nice in the fact we haven't had many humid 90 degree days!
Let it snow let it snow let it snow. I want at least one good blizzard this year, you know the kind that shuts down everything in DC for a week.
Work follows the federal government... and I still get paid...what can I say.
So much for accepting all that God gives as He gives it . . .
ooooh!
Shot to the heart!
No shot, just sharing what I've truly come to know. . .
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