LEGEND of the DOGWOOD
An old and beautiful legend has it that, at the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus in his gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all said to it:
"Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross.
Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms will be in the form of a cross ~ two long and two short petals. 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 this will remember."
~ Author Unknown
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17 comments:
This story always brings tears to my eyes. Beautiful photos of your dogwoods.~~Dee
I just love all the characteristics of the Dogwood... and the legend points them out beautifully. Gorgeous photos.
Happy, happy Easter!
Meems
I too so love this account, Dee, posted throughout the years on my blog. Easter blessings, dear friend. (I love my blooming dogwoods ... a for-coming gift for me.)
Happy, happy Easter to you, dear Meems, and thank you. Wonder ... do you have dogwoods in your stunning Florida gardens?
Interesting you ask, Joey. They do really well a few counties north of us. They are iffy this far south. My neighbor has two that have been beautiful the last 3 winters (blooms in Feb)due to unusually steady cold snaps. But my favorite garden center has one I've been eyeing all spring. Everytime I walk in I stand and stare... contemplating the sensibility of it. I still may end up with it...
Just curious, Meems. Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) is native to the eastern United States to central Florida. This stunning stalwart is a ray of sunshine in our northern landscape ... I can't imagine my garden without at least one! So where you are is iffy ... Perhaps yours would enjoy a Michigan corner with erratic weather fluctuations :)
Have no idea where you found this story...wow!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't think I'll ever forget it.
It's been around for some time, Patsi, and often post it during Holy Week. Easter blessings!
Happy Easter, dear Joey. I share your love of the dogwood, and fortunately they are blossoming all around me at the moment. Hugs.
Such a beautiful story Joey. Hope you had a lovely Easter.
I love the dogwood tree.
Interesting legend!
Lovely collage of this beautiful blossom.
I hope you had a wonderful Easter Joey!
Spring hugs, dear Kathryn. Our dogwoods have yet to bloom. A late spring, forsythia, shadblow, magnolias are just beginning and my garden is popping with bulbs and wildflowers ... my favorite time of year.
Thank you, Linda. From mass to dinner in dining room, Easter with all children/grandboys was lovely ... as I hope yours was. Happy spring :)
Me too, Wendy. Thank you and happy spring :)
Thank you, Kala. Do hope your Easter was wonderful too.
A perfect post for easter. I wish I could grow these beautiful trees here, but all my neighbors who have tried, have promptly had them devoured :(
Such a lovely story, Joey. I hope you had a wonderful Easter!
Love your photos and your story too.
Loved reading the legend of the dogwood. The blooms are stunning!!
Thank you, dear Clare. I adore dogwoods, and though mine is in the backstage behind flowering shadblows, cherry, magnolias, etc, a sure sign spring is here.
Yes Easter was lovely, Rose, as I hope yours was also. Thank you. Any day surrounded by my children/grandchildren is the best! So where did April go ... onward and upward thoughts of spring!
Thanks fun friend, imac :)
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