Symbols of the Dogwood

Photo by SilverGardenia

Out in the garden at Eastertide
flowers point to Christ and how He died
so look upon the dogwood tree
with its living symbols three,
for within the flower’s center lays
the thorny crown of former days.
and whose petals bloom crosswise
raising the cross to the azure skies.
And each petal bears a reddened pleat
where our Savior’s loving hands and feet
were pierced by unrelenting nails
yet over all these He eternally prevails!
So every blossom tells the story
of Christ who died and rose in glory
thus when the dogwood tree is nigh
it points us to our Lord on High.

 

Dogwoods are some of my favorite flowers! The Legend of the Dogwood says that the dogwood was the tree used to make the cross that Christ was crucified on and that afterwards, Christ gave it flowers that resembled the cross, the crown of thorns, and the marks in his hands and feet. Dogwoods are native to the Eastern United States and don't grow in the Holy Land, so it's very easy to disprove this legend. But the symbolism is still beautiful.