Our Lord and the Passion Flower

 

Since tomorrow March 22 is Passion Sunday and the beginning of Passiontide (which begins with vespers tonight), this seems like a good time to look at the Passion Flower.  

As a Wikipedia article explains, the elements of this plant are seen as symbols for Christ's Passion. Missionaries used it for teaching purposes. The tendrils were said to represent the whips used in the Flagellation, the pointed tips of the leaves were seen as the Lance that pierced the Sacred Heart, the stigmas as the Three Nails and the anthers as the Five Wounds.

There is an article by Elaine Jordan here with many photos and much detailed information.