Passionate purple - passion flower

I called at the Garden Centre to buy flowers for a friend on Easter Sunday - but they wouldn't sell me any due to 'Trading Laws' (even though I then bought some at the garage!).  However, I did see this Passion Flower (Passiflora) – glad I had my iPhone handy - serendipity!


Symbolism of the Passion Flower 
The symbolic use of the Passion flower was to help people understand the Passion of Christ and the Crucifixion.  It was seen in the following way, ‘The whipping and scourging of Christ is represented by the tendrils.  The pillar of the scourging is represented by the flower column.  The Crown of Thorns is the 72 filaments that encircle the head.  The three nails are symbolized by the top stigma and the five wounds of Christ are the five anthers.  The style is the sponge that moistened Christ’s lips with vinegar.  The spear blade that pierced his side is seen as the leaves (some species only).  The blood of Christ is the red stain from the plant and the round fruit of the plant symbolises the world he came to save. The fragrance of the flower represents the spices prepared by the Holy women.’ (mdidea.com)