Dogwood Tree Flower Cross
The legend of the dogwood tree author unknown is as follows.
Dogwood tree flower cross. The dogwood blooms in april when easter sunday marks the resurrection of christ after the crucifixion. Jesus sensing this sadness promised the dogwood tree that it would never again grow large enough to build a cross. To some people though dogwoods hold a deeper meaning. The middle of the dogwood flower has a tight grouping of resembling a crown of thorns and the tips of each of the petals are indented as if they bear a nail dent.
According to legend the dogwood once grew as a tall straight tree but when the dogwood was used to make the cross jesus was so moved that he promised the tree would never again grow large enough to be used for such a purpose. It is said that the bracts of the dogwood flower resemble the cross and bear nail marks of the crucifixion. And now the dogwood tree has many traits to remember this promise. The center of the flower resembles the crown of thorns with bright red clustered fruit in the center representing the blood of christ.
Upon close examination it can be seen that the blooms of the tree always have four petals. It s branches would be narrow and crooked not good for building at all. This is unlikely considering the typical size of a dogwood tree. There is a legend that the cross was made of dogwood.
At the time of our lord s crucifixion the dogwood used to have the size of the oak and other forest trees. The flower of the dogwood has four petals which makes the shape of a cross. The dogwood flower has 4 petals shaped like a cross. There s nothing more majestic than a dogwood in spring decked out with fabulous flowers.
The dogwood petal mindful of the cross of our lord and so the legend of the dogwood was born.