There Is A Legend
At the time of Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus nailed upon it, sensed this.
In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering Jesus said to the tree:
" Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."
In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering Jesus said to the tree:
" Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."
[Both photos, taken 4/3, are from trees in our woods.]
What an interesting legend! I had never heard that before.
ReplyDeleteI'm very familiar with the dogwood since the Pacific Dogwood (also called Western or Mountain Dogwood - possibly a different species than in your pictures?) has been British Columbia's floral emblem since 1956.
I love this post. The photos are so good, and I just love the effect in the first one; the colors are incredible, the light shining through the one flower. It could sell big time!
ReplyDeleteGreat job.
The dogwoods blooming makes me miss being in Mississippi. I just adore them.
ReplyDeletebella storia!
ReplyDeleteI heard of that legend but I think it's the first time I see those flowers. So thank you for showing these beauties to us, your photos are great!
ReplyDelete:O)
Christina: Donica surprised me and said she hadn't heard it either. I love legends like this. Almost make you feel like the dogwoods went on strike to protest how they were being used!
ReplyDeleteRuth: Thanks, my dear! I actually was surprised how it turned out and started thinking of the verse somewhere, "And I, if I be lifted up will draw all people to myself."
Dixie: So I did this post for YOU :)
Tracie: Grazie!
Clo: Interesting. Some know the story without having seen the tree; some know the flower/tree without the story.
An excellent legend. There's something about legends and myths that attracts me - perhaps because they have a way of telling some truth or something core about society or a segment thereof.
ReplyDeletelovely storey. BUt even lovelier pics. That first one is just incredible... It's so nice to have that right outside your door!
ReplyDeleteEverything is so interconnected and cyclical on so many levels creating many layers of mystery, so that we might endulge in the desire of knowing what is hidden, the exciting adventure of uncovering and shedding old layers to discover the same truth in a different form, exciting us and thrilling us as much today as it did when we were children!
ReplyDeleteTim: I agree--there's core truth in all our myths and legends! That's one of the reasons why it has never bothered me to hear liberal theologians talk about our bible stories as Myths, especially since all the world religions have the same stories! It's the Pith of the story we need to think about, not whether or not it "really" happened.
ReplyDeleteET: Thanks. You're so kind. Yes, we are thrilled every spring when we see them in the woods.
Rachel: That was pretty powerful! Thank you!
I'd never heard of the legend of the Dogwood tree before! Great pictures, especialy that close up of the flower.
ReplyDeleteThanks, DW. I'm amazed at how many haven't heard about this legend. It makes me really glad I posted about it!
ReplyDeleteGosh, I learned 2 new things today in one post! The legend (beautful) and I never realised that Dogwood was BC's floral emblem. Again, great pictures Ginnie.
ReplyDeleteLisa: And to you, too, my friend.
ReplyDeleteCS: Thank you, thank you!!
Thanks, Gustav. That means a lot coming from you!
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