Passion and Easter flowers - part 1

Over the next 3 days, I will share some information about flowers and plants popular during Passion week, Holy Week and Easter:

The Judas Tree

This tree (Cercis siliquastrum) with its abundance of purple/pink flowers is very familiar in many countries around the Holy Week and Easter period. Italian tradition has it that the buds wait for Holy Week in order to blossom. Tradition also tells that the flowers were white before Judas hanged himself from the tree, at which point the flowers blushed for shame. From that point in time, the tree became known as the "Judas Tree" and chose to flower in Holy Week in order to remind us of the part that Judas played in Jesus' passion, death and resurrection.

Passion flower

The Passion Flower (Passiflora) which grows wild in many gardens is full of symbolism - hence it’s name. The three stamens represent the three nails which pierced Jesus' hands and feet or the three crosses - of Jesus and the two thieves . The circle of ten petals symbolise Jesus' crown of thorns. The leaves represent the spear that went into the side of Jesus. The passion flower normally lasts for three days and reminds us of the three days Jesus spent in the tomb.