The most remarkable of the floral emblems is the
passion-flower--the common blue one. Its leaves are thought
to represent the head of the spear by which Christ’s side was
pierced; the five points, the five sacred wounds; the tendrils,
the cords which bound Him; the ten petals, the ten faithful
apostles, omitting the one who denied Him (Peter); the pillar in
the center is the cross, the stamens, the hammers; the styles,
the nails; the circle around the pillar, the crown of thorns;
the radiance, the glory. It is used on Holy Thursday. The
fleur-de-lis, or conventional form of the lily, is the symbol
of the Virgin Mary, adopted in the Middle Ages. It is also an
emblem of purity. It is always placed by the medieval painters
in the hand of the Angel Gabriel, and sometimes in the hand
of the Infant Savior, and of St. Joseph. Lilies-of-the-valley
are the floral emblem of Christ. “The Rose of Sharon” and the
“Lily-of-the-valley” are emblems of humility. The rose is also
an emblem of Christ. The laurel is an emblem of victory and
glory, also of constancy, as the leaf changes only in death.
Ivy denotes immortality. The laurestinus has the same meaning.
(Text.)--_The Decorator and Furnisher._
(1110)