Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Emergence from Lent to Easter

Purchase this stole here.
Flowers, products of the earth, suggest the cycle of life, death and resurrection in the round of the seasons. Flowers, springing from seed, suggest perpetual rebirth, and promise of fulfillment. In Christian symbolism the essence of the flower--it's growing characteristics, its shape, color, its scent--coordinate to make a unified whole.


In the region that I live in we use a lot of flowers that grow from bulbs to decorate our Easter worship spaces. Bulbed flowers remind us of the Resurrection as the glorious flower emerges from the seemingly dead bulb (the grave). This was our inspiration for the stole at left which can be purchased on the Carrot Top Studio website a similar version will list on eBay beginning April 7th here


The lily is the most typical flower associated with Easter symbolism. It has long been a symbol of purity, innocence and immortality and is the major botanical symbol of Mary. Often called the "white-robed apostles of hope," lilies were reportedly found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ's agony. Lore says that the beautiful white lilies sprung up where drops of Christ's sweat fell to the ground in his final hours.


As we emerge from Lent and prepare to celebrate the Easter season and you see a worship space 'decorated' with flowers think of the symbolism and let the visual image draw you closer to the joy and hope of the Resurrection.

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