The Passion, The Resurrection ( 1)

EASTERis one of the most important and popular Christian holidays. It is observed to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus

Christ, three days after he was tortured to death.

Easter falls on the last day of the Lent season, a long period of celebration that starts from Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which means ‘ Fat Tuesday,’ because it is the last day where you can eat everything before Lent and ends with Easter.

One of the holiest festivals among Christians, Easter is celebrated across the globe with great fun and fervor. Special church services are organised across various countries over the entire Easter season. The holy occasion is welcomed with the same feelings, gusto and enthusiasm.

In the Western hemisphere, Easter fun doubles, as it not only commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death, but also welcomes spring season, as it is said that flowers bring in goodness in the life of a person. Most importantly, Easter symbolises revival of life after death. According to the Scriptures, the tomb of Jesus was empty, three days after his crucifixion. Thus, Christians believe that they too can receive new life after death. A festival of joy and happiness, Easter celebrates Christ or the flowers and blossoms that come to life in spring, right after the dead and lifeless winter chills. On Easter, the gardens are filled with colourful, vibrant flowers and buds. While the grass forms a green carpet over the earth’s surface, colourful flowers form the intricate design over it.

The flowers fill the entire atmosphere with sweet fragrance, adding charm and charisma to the festivity. Easter is a joyous holiday celebrated in the spring to honour the Resurrection of Christ.

Easter flowers are a central theme to religious celebration, but are also part of secular Easter festivities. The expression Easter derives from old English word, EASTRE or Eostre. Easter refers to the Anglo- Saxon goddess of dawn and spring, but under Christian influence, the modern English term, Easter, took over the present meaning; hence the word was borrowed as a sematic loan, which means only the word, but not its original meaning is borrowed.

Thus, a pagan festival was changed from a celebration of spring to a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus by the Christian church, which means Jesus now owns the intellectual property rights on Easter.

Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the full moon that falls on or after the spring equinox on March 21 every year. Thus, Easter is celebrated on different dates every year that usually falls between March 22 and April 25. This festival denotes life, rejuvenation, reward, rebirth and restoration. Lots of flowers are associated with spring and Easter festivals.

Religious symbolism some flowers have been given special meanings by Christians to help them celebrate Easter. While the gardens are filled with colourful vibrant flowers and buds generally, the colours of Easter are more pastel and passive than flowers used for other occasions.

Whether you wish to present traditional flowers that symbolise the death and Resurrection of Christ or simply want to brighten the holidays, understanding the symbolism and meaning associated with Easter flowers and colours would help you choose appropriate Easter flowers for any event.

There are several flowers thought to symbolise the Christian belief of the Resurrection of Christ.

Palm

marks the start of what is often called ‘ Passion Week,’ the final seven days of Jesus earthly ministry. Palm Sunday

Fronds And Olive Branches Palmsunday

was the ‘ beginning of the end’ of Jesus’ work on earth. As Jesus ascended towards Jerusalem, a large multitude gathered around him. They understood that Jesus was messiah, so they gave him the royal treatment.

The crowd’s action along the road gave rise to the name ‘ Palm Sunday.’ A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from palm trees and spread them on the road, just as some waved the palm branches.

On Palm Sunday, palm fronds are symbolic floral items used to commemorate that first

‘ Palm Sunday.’

KNOWNFOR

its purity and holiness, Lilies are one of the traditional flowers for Easter. They are often white and represent purity, goodness and hope, as such represent the Resurrection of Christ. These help Christians to remember that Jesus was pure and perfect when he died on the Cross.

It is believed by some lilies sprouted in the places where drops of blood fell down from Jesus. Another legend believes the first lilies appeared when Eve shed tears of repentance upon the earth during the crucifixion. Another legend proclaims that when visitors returned to Mary’s tomb after her death, all that was found was a bed of lilies, as she had been taken

Easter Lilies

directly to heaven.

White lilies symbolise chastity and virtue. Much of the decorations for Easter revolve around the lily. Apart from the churches being decked with lilies, the flowers also find a prominent place in homes.

Passion Flowers

THESE

have been given lots of different meaning over the years. But they help Christian to remember Jesus dying on the Cross. The three stamens represent the three nail wounds of Jesus or the Trinity of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit of the three crosses.

The circle of petals represents the crown of thorns that Jesus wore or as the flower has 10 petals, they can represent the disciples that did not deny or betray Christ. The leaves represent the spear that went into the sides of Jesus. The Passion Flower normally lasts for three days and represents the three days Jesus spent in the tomb.

Tulips

ALL

tulips symbolise passion, belief and love, but white and purple tulips have special meaning. They represent forgiveness, while purple represents royalty, both important aspects of the Christian Easter celebration.

Red tulips symbolise the shedding of Jesus’ blood and unconditional love.

Baby’s Breath

These delicate flowers represent the Holy Spirit.

Daisies

White daisies symbolise the innocence of the Christ child.

Hyacinth

These flowers represent peace of mind.

Irises

These flowers symbolise faith, wisdom and hope. The Greek word for rainbow is Iris representing the link between heaven and earth.

Daffodils

The beautiful bright yellow daffodils ( Narcissus) also signify great importance on Easter. The flower is symbol of Jesus Resurrection from the dead, that is, a new flower is born from a seemingly dead bulb.

Azalea

Anotherpopular

flower associated with Easter, Azalea comes in colours of red, pink and even cream blooms. The flower is Chinese symbol of womanhood and symbolises the thought ‘ take care of yourself for me.’ Just like lilies and daffodils, azaleas too are considered to be ancient symbol of Christ Resurrection, good tidings and rejuvenation.

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