252-4: Legend of the Dogwood

As the Easter Season approaches the Dogwoods bloom.

There Is A Legend

At the time of Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus nailed upon it, sensed this.
In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering Jesus said to the tree:
" Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."

The pink dogwood is said to be blushing
for shame because of the cruel purpose
which it served in the Crucifixion.

The red dogwood, called the Cherokee, bears
the color to remind us of the blood shed by our Savior.

AS I see it..
There is no Biblical basis for this legend but it does tell a beautiful story about a sad but wonderful event. As this legend may not be true it becomes even more amazing that God, during his creation of the world, foretold and illustrated this life saving event.
And now you know the rest of the story..

141: Dogwood

Fall Dogwood at Yellow House

Up the street from my home is a BRIGHT yellow house. It was the perfect back drop for the dark crimson dogwood leaves. I took the image at the wrong time as the side of the house was in the shade making it sort of dark. The leaves were back lit making the leaves translucent and not as dark. I may shoot this at a different time of day.

There is a legend about the Dogwood's flower. It seems that during the fall it's leaves tell a similar story.