Illumination of a unicorn (a symbol of the incarnation of Christ, of innocence and purity) falling asleep on the lap of a virgin. The border shows plants which symbolise the virtues of the Virgin Mary, such woodland strawberries, roses and violets; Mary's robe is blue, a traditional colour attribution.

In Christian iconography plants appear mainly as attributes on the pictures of Christ or the Virgin Mary. Christological plants are among others the vine, the columbine, the carnation and the flowering cross, which grows out of an acanthus plant surrounded by tendrils. Mariological symbols include the rose, lily, olive, cedar, cypress and palm. Plants also appear as attributes of saints, especially virgins and martyrs.

Background

In Christian art, plants and flowers show up chiefly as traits on the photos of Christ or the Virgin Mary. Plants additionally show up as characteristics of holy people, particularly virgins and saints.[1]

Plants in Christian iconography

Flower Symbol Reason
Acacia The immortality of the soul Durability of the wood[1]
Almond Divine approval From the Book of Numbers: "The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron's staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds."[1][2]
Anemone Crucifixion scenes; also associated with the sorrow of Virgin Mary Anemones are said to have grown at Golgotha[3]
Columbine Victory of life over death, thus a plant assigned to Christ, furthermore a symbol of humility, the Holy Spirit and the Holy Trinity The name "columbine" comes from the Latin for "dove", due to the resemblance of the inverted flower to five doves clustered together.[4][3]
Daisy Innocence, beauty, salvation, modesty, purity and love Simplicity[3]
Clover Holy Trinity, Patrick of Ireland Three petals that compose a flower[3]
Hyacinth Prudence, constancy, desire of heaven and peace of mind From the story of Hyacinthus, upon whose death the flower sprung forth[5]
Iris Our Lady of Sorrows Sharp leaves like swords[3]
Lily Purity, theological virtues of justice, charity and hope; also the Holy Trinity. The White Lily is specific to virginal saints, whether female or male Lilies with three petals[3]
Lily of the valley Chastity, humility and humbleness of Mary
Palm branch Martyrdom Symbol of victory, triumph and peace
Passionflower Crucifixion of Jesus Each part of the flower represents a different aspect of the Passion of Christ[3]
Primula Virgin Mary Keys of heaven
Rose Mary, other virgins The white rose symbolises innocence and faithfulness, the red rose stands for love and passion[3][6]
Snowdrop Virgin Mary Symbolises hope, purity and virtue
Strawberry Virgin Mary Symbolises righteousness and humility. Their flowers embody chastity, but they also became a symbol of transience and vanity. The fruit is a symbol for the Incarnation of Christ.
White tulip Holy Spirit White tulips are used to send a message of forgiveness

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Gast, Walter E. (2000). "Symbols in Christian Art and Architecture".
  2. ^ Numbers 17:1–8
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Kostka, Arun Oswin. "Flowers in Christian Symbolism".
  4. ^ Shorter Oxford English dictionary, 6th ed. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. 2007. p. 3804. ISBN 978-0199206872.
  5. ^ "Signs and Symbols". catholictradition.org. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  6. ^ Cucciniello, Lisa (2008). "Rose to Rosary: The Flower of Venus in Catholicism". Rose Lore: Essays in Semiotics and Cultural History. Lexington Books. pp. 64–65.
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