The Passion Flower

Hello!!  I hope that this blog post find you happy and healthy!

On one of our road trips south I spotted one of the most beautiful and interesting flowers that I have ever seen.  I picked it and brought it to the car so I could study it a bit closer.  I used my google lens on my phone to find out what it was.  It turns out that it was a passion flower, the Tennessee state flower.  Well, apparently, TN has two state flowers, the passion flower which was chosen by school children in 1919 and the iris chosen in 1933 by the legislature.  The people refused the iris,  so in 1973, they decided on two state flowers, a state wildflower and a state cultivated flower.  That allowed both to get their way.

The Passion flower is quite a unique piece of art!   It is so delicate looking.  It has so many interesting things going on!!  And it can point us to Christ and His crucifixion, called, "The Passion of Christ Flower".

To start, the center of the passion flower has three stigmas to represent the three nails that held Christ to the cross.  Next there are 5 antlers under the stigmas to represent the 5 wounds that He endured, one in each hand, one in each foot and the spear would in his side.  There are 72 spindly filaments to represent the crown of thorns and the lashes that He recieved from the Roman soldiers.  There are 10 flower petals to represent the 10 faithful disciples.  (Jesus had 12 diciples, Judas betrayed Him and Peter denied Him, but did not turn away from his faithfulness for very long.)  And lastly, the leaves of the passion flower has 5 five fingers which represent the hand of man.  

The passion flower is quite amazing!  I didn't realize it, but apparently, the passion flower only opens for one day.  I am sure glad I was there to experience this beauty on that one day!!

Juvenal, a Roman poet born in 55 AD, says it best.  "Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another."  

Have a wonderful day!  Live it to the fullest with art and soul!

Much love,

Cherie