Wednesday, March 28, 2012

S is for Sorrow, The Sorrow of the Dogwood

S is for Sorrow
The Sorrow of the Dogwood
I don't know where or when this story first originated but I first read it twenty years ago in a book titled "One Minute Easter Stories" by Sherry Lewis and Lan O'Kun. I did a little research before writing this post but couldn't find any more information. If any of you know it's origins, I would love to know!
 Have you ever noticed that Dogwood trees always seem to bloom at Easter? Well, it is no coincidence, in fact,  it is one more miracle of Easter. You see the Dogwood tree once grew in Jerusalem but back then it grew quite tall, straight and strong. One particular tree grew so tall it reached straight toward the Heavens! This was a very proud tree and he thought to himself, "I'm the tallest and strongest tree in the forest, surely I will serve a great purpose. Maybe I will be the mast on a ship, or the beam in a temple". 
 One dark gloomy day, some men came and cut the tree down. With a thud so hard it shook the earth, the big tree fell to the ground. The men cut the mighty tree into two strong boards and lashed them together, it was then that the tree realized the purpose it would serve and it was filled with sorrow. The mighty tree would become the cross on to which Jesus would be nailed. 
 As Jesus felt the weight of the cross on his shoulder, so too did he feel it's sorrow and he promised the tree that never again would the Dogwood tree be used for such a terrible purpose. From that day forward, the Dogwood would grow willowy with spreading branches and each year at Easter the tree would be filled with beautiful blooms. But not just any blooms, there would be four petals formed in the shape of a cross. At the tip of each petal would be a notch to symbolize where Jesus' hands and feet were nailed to the cross and each petal would be tinged scarlet to symbolize the blood Jesus shed for our sins. And finally, the center of each flower would resemble the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head. 
 So forevermore, when you see a Dogwood, you will be reminded that the Dogwood and Jesus spent their last moments together. 
I'm linking today's post to:
Alphabe Thursday and the letter S at Jenny Matlocks
and 
Vintage Thingie Thursday at The Colorado Lady
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14 comments:

  1. To the Toy Box and BeyondMarch 28, 2012 at 11:48 PM

    I have never heard this story Thanks for sharing Visiting from Jenny Matlock

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  2. c. JoyMarch 29, 2012 at 4:23 AM

    I had heard the story of the dogwood's blossom, but not 'how' the tree got it's shape. Love the old post cards/greeting cards.

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  3. VBRMarch 29, 2012 at 8:32 AM

    Lovely post for Alphabe-Thursday. It is always interesting to learn the folklore behind things we see everyday and take for granted. I think anyone who reads this story will remember it everytime they see a dogwood in bloom.

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  4. LBPMarch 29, 2012 at 9:45 AM

    The Dogwwod. My state's, Virginia, state flower! They are in bloom now in our area a full two or three weeks ahead of schedule!

    Thanks for sharing.
    Linda

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  5. LVMarch 29, 2012 at 10:11 AM

    I love Dogwood trees., I was originally from East Texas and they are plentiful there. Do not see many here. Loved your post on them.

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  6. Barbara F.March 29, 2012 at 11:33 AM

    I actually got a chill when I read this post today. My mother loved dogwood trees and she would have branches (artificial) in our house for Easter. I love the story behind it and the symbolism. I am going to look for some silk branches today. xo

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  7. Rocky Mountain WomanMarch 29, 2012 at 3:27 PM

    I had heard that story a long time ago, but forgot about it.

    I love Dogwoods, so beautiful in the spring!

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  8. anitamombanitaMarch 29, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    I'd never heard this beautiful story. We have dogwoods, but it's not likely they'll be blooming yet by easter...we still have snow on the ground. :(

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  9. CREATIVE KHADIJAMarch 30, 2012 at 10:13 AM

    hmm, interesting story..new for me & I have enjoyed :)

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  10. 21 WitsMarch 31, 2012 at 12:21 AM

    what a very cool story!

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  11. JennyApril 2, 2012 at 3:19 AM

    What a Special Story... I have never heard it until now!

    Thanks for Sharing it with us for the letter "S"!

    A+

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  12. AnnesphamilyApril 2, 2012 at 11:31 PM

    This is a very similar story I have heard thru the years during the Easter season. It is sad but a beautiful story. I always heard that after the huge tree was cut down and used to crucify Our Lord the dogwood would no longer grow tall and strong but short so it could never be used in such a manner again! Legend says that while Christ was hung on the cross he heard the sadness of the dogwood tree and in His compassion said the tree would never be used for a cross and today is grows small and slender and the flowering buds look like the shape of the cross, the red marks on the petals represent the nail marks and the center of the flower represents the thorns.
    Thank you for reminding me of this story today.

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  13. UnknownApril 3, 2012 at 10:36 AM

    Thanks for sharing this, I never really knew it and love to learn new stuff;-)

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  14. Esther JoyApril 5, 2012 at 10:44 AM

    I did a short post on the dogwood this week with a posting of "The Legend of the Dogwood" along with some of my dogwood photos. It's interesting that it does usually bloom at Easter even though the Easter season varies with when it falls.

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I appreciate each and every one of your comments! Thank you for taking the time to leave such nice words!

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