Photo by Christa Jennings
With the arrival of spring comes the blooming of flowers, including the timely opening of the dogwood tree blossoms.
A long-standing Southern legend handed down through the years ties the dogwood tree and its blossoms in with the Easter holiday. While not a Biblical story or one based in scripture, the legend includes symbolism to use the dogwood blossom to point to reminders of Jesus’ crucifixion.
While now a smaller tree, the legend tells that the dogwood tree was once large with sturdy wood, much like an oak tree. Because its wood was so strong, it provided building material for a variety of purposes.
According to the legend, the dogwood tree provided the wood used to build the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
Because of its role in the crucifixion, the legend tells that God both cursed and blessed the tree. It was cursed to be forever small henceforth so that it would never grow large enough to be used as a cross for crucifixion, with even its branches being narrow and crooked so it would not be good for building at all.
However, the legend tells that the tree was also blessed so that it would produce beautiful flowers each spring, just in time for Easter, to remind those who see the trees of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
For instance, the petals form the shape of a cross, as the dogwood blooms always have four petals. The middle of the flower contains a tight grouping that can remind people of the crown of thorns placed on Jesus’ head at the time of His crucifixion.
The tips of each of the petals are also indented, as if they bear a nail dent. There are also colors of red dotted along the petals to bring to mind the drops of blood spilled during the crucifixion.
While this story is just a long-standing legend of the dogwood tree, we hope that it brings to mind the events of this time of year so many years ago. We at “The Coosa County News” wish all of you a happy Easter.
