The life of Christ flings a bright and illuminating ray of light over the whole vegetable world. Trees and flowers which have heretofore been associated with various heathen rites now become connected with holier names and are frequently made a part of the crucifixion itself. Hosts of flowers are dedicated to the Virgin Mary, particularly white ones, which are taken to be emblematic of her purity. Christian worshippers even went to the classic Juno and Diana, to the Scandinavian Freyja and Bertha, to obtain flowers to dedicate to her. The Passion Flower was often taken to represent various incidents connected with the crucifixion.
Though the Rose and the Lily are the blossoms which are most frequently associated with the Virgin, particularly in paintings, there is an endless list of other flowers of low and high degree which are either named after her or thought to be under her influence.
Orchids are called “Our Lady’s Slipper.” Maiden-Hair is “Virgin’s Hair.” The Thyme, Woodroof and Groundsel plants are reputed to have formed the Virgin’s bed. Among fruits the Strawberry and the Molluka Bean have been set aside for her worship.
The “Rose of Jericho” is made famous by the Bible. Popular tradition states that it first blossomed at Christ’s birth, closed at His crucifixion and reopened at His resurrection. The legend of the rose-coloured Sainfoin is especially interesting. One of the flowers happened to be among the grasses and herbs lodged in the manger of the Christ child. At the presence of that holy form, it suddenly opened its blossoms to form a wreath for His head.
A more gruesome tale relates that the Wood-Sorrel, Spotted Persicaria, Arum, Purple Orchid and Red Anemone owe their dark-stained blossoms to the blood which trickled from the Cross.
Among the many theories regarding the identity of the wood of the Cross, the one about the Mistletoe is especially fanciful. The Mistletoe is alleged to have been originally a full-sized tree but because of its ignoble part in the great Christian tragedy, it was reduced to its present parasitical form.
Every saint in the Catholic calendar has his own particular flower, either because of some incident in his life with which it was connected or because of arbitrary dedication. Care has been taken to pick flowers which are in bloom at the time of the festival of the saint which they represent. In this way, the flowers of the field make a living, religious time-piece.
Among the individual sacred flowers, Orchids and Lotus-Blossoms have probably been known and reverenced as much as any. There is small wonder that sentiment approaching veneration should exist toward the Orchids. Their singular beauty and fragrance have compelled the admiration of all historic peoples. The primitive Mexicans hold them in very great esteem. The Lotus-Flower, portrayed through all the ages, on papyrus, paper, silk, stone, and wood, has a world-wide sanctity. The ancient Egyptians worshipped the Lotus in connection with the mysteries of Isis and Osiris. The sculptural remains of the Nile abound with the sacred plant in every stage of its development, the flowers and fruit being represented with utmost accuracy. The Brahmans regarded it as divine and the Hindus used it to decorate their temples and lay on their religious altars. The Chinese also called it sacred. Brahma, at his birth, is said to have come forth from the Lotus. Buddha and other eastern deities, including the Chinese god Pazza, are reported to have first appeared floating on its leaves.
Sir William Jones was one time dining on the banks of the Ganges. Desiring to examine the sacred Lotus-Flower, he despatched some of his people to procure a specimen. When it was brought, his Indian attendants immediately fell on their faces in adoration.
The Yellow Narcissus is a famous fabled flower which originally came from Palestine. Mahomet once said: “Whoever possesses two loaves of bread, let him trade one for a blossom of Narcissus, for bread is nourishment for the body, but the Narcissus for the soul.” The birth of the Narcissus is narrated thus: In Sussexshire, England, the good St. Leonhard once battled with a dragon for three whole days. Before he was able to slay the monster, the doughty warrior was wounded with consequent loss of blood. God could not bear to see the life fluid of this holy man spilled heedlessly, so transformed each drop, as it fell, into a Narcissus.