“For the message of the cross…is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18
I had once read of the symbolism between the dogwood tree and Good Friday and wanted to try and somewhat represent that story with a photo. Perhaps it will change how you look at a dogwood tree as it did for me.
Please note that the following story isn’t taken from scripture…it is merely a story of symbolism I had heard long ago.
“The dogwood was the tree chosen to construct the Cross that would be used to take the body of Jesus. Even though His body may have been taken from this earth, His spirit remains and every spring we are blessed with a reminder of the events that unfolded on that fateful weekend. The blooms often appear in the shape of a Cross with holes in the tips of the pedals signifying the nails that were driven into the Cross. If you look closely at these holes you can notice a faint red stain representing the Blood. In the center you will find a green bloom symbolizing the crown of thorns placed on the head of Jesus. After the Crucifixion, God proclaimed that dogwood trees would never grow large ever again. This is the reason the trunks of dogwoods are skinny and often branch off low on the trunk. The dogwood is more than a tree…it is a representation of life. With every spring we are reminded of what God did for us and given the chance to be reborn and start a new life as “children of God”. (John 3:1)”
I love this so much.. this is beautiful and the message you wrote is amazing…I’m still a baby Christian…and to see things like this encourages me a lot and reminds me of God’s sacrifice of Himself on the cross. 🙂
Hello, on May 08, 2005 my Dad passed away. On the third day of his death I was leaving my house to attend Mass and then his burial. As I walked out of my house I was lifted by the sight of my dogwood tree in full beautiful bloom. At that moment when I saw the blooms I thanked my Dad for this gift for I did not have any success with the blooms for about 10 years.
I did not know the symbol of the Dogwood tree until yesterday May 19th, 2009. Although I always knew that the blooms were a sign and special gift from my Dad to let me know he was OK and not to worry about him so much. He had suffered for many years prior to passing. Now I know that this symbol is also strong and personal reminder that we can continue with our life as children of God renewed! With very happy and emotional tears. Yours truly Cynthia Richichi
Bro.Shane it was God who working in it, I am searching for flowers notes for 2010 vacation Bible School material God led me to find here, I was blessed by this. U re really great , God bless you. Iam using this pictures with your permission in my coming summer ministry material.
Kuauma.
I just lost my 24 year old daughter in a fatal accident and would like to plant a dogwood tree. Does anyone know where I can purchase one? I know there are many varieties out there and I would like the one that represents the cross.
Our god is a huge God. What a beautiful sign of him being here and how much of an impact his death made on everything. So many signs we see and don’t recognize. How could anyone think he doesn’t exists or want us with him for all eternity. Thank you Jesus for your sacrafice.
I love he story of the Dogwood tree, I read it last night and the song to mind he grew the tree. It touched me so much I had to cry and thank God for his blessings.
I have read what you wrote but, the cross was not of the dogwood tree, that is just a story or symbolism of the dreath of Christ. Actually, the bible does not say what kind of tree the cross was made of.
Dear Shane,
Love the symbolism of the dogwood. However, I was unable to locate where God said,”…dogwood trees would never grow large ever again.”
I think you are referring to when Jesus cursed the Fig Tree for not bearing fruit (Mt. 21:19).
If I’m incorrect, please tell me where this is found in Scripture.
Thanks so much!
Sarah Keith <
Praise The Lord! this is amazing..
Thank you for this post. It is exactly what I wanted for the inspiration of a painting. I did a search on the meaning of the dogwood tree and this is the one that inspired me. A friend brought a branch of dogwood blooms into class last night and I wanted to paint a still life with them. Thank you.
love this!! I never thought of the dogwood this way. I also found out today that the pine tree spurts out little crosses about 1-3 weeks before Easter. This is amazing too.
I too call myself a ‘baby christian’, and this symbolizes a beautiful meaning. Thank you!
I love this story of the dogwood tree as i have never heard of it bebore and im 64 its truely amazing that you learn something new every day even at my age thank you
The dogwood that bloom here in Nashville in the spring is really beautiful they are everywhere. You know winter is over and new growth is starting…we are so blessed.
Isn’t it nice that the dogwood will be blooming from coast to coast? I remember hearing that legend a long time ago. It’s good to take time to remember God’s sacrifice in any way we can.
T think the story is so powerful, i love the lord and also i am a baby to relationship with Jesus, so anything i learn that is so powerful and the dogwood i like keeping the story going, to our people who just don’t have a clue, so i am grateful for all the small details that i just didn’t know.because i just didn’t know that the shape of the flower was a cross, i am so excited now. Thank you so much for that very important clue. God Bless
I would like scripture to back this up.
Fact or fiction, it a beautiful story. Facinating how every detail of the flower matches the story of the crucifixtion of our Lord and Saviour. Truth…God made the tree and the flower it produces, and He did it IN THE BEGINNING. Look it up.
This is a neat story and for those of you asking, the author has made it clear that it is not based on scripture, but is symbolic.
I saw a tree with the blossoms as above in the picture but the one I saw the centre was not green but brown the colour of wood and the four petals in the centre each petal had a red tint like blood surrounding the centre crown of thorns it was the most beautiful tree I had ever seen
A baby Christian I am. On March 17, 2012, I had an experience at a Christian retreat called “Walk to Emmaus.” It more like a resurrection than a rebirth. Since that time, I have dedicated a majority of my time to the perpetuation and explanation of Jesus Christ. People who know me know that I am now a follower of Jesus the Christ. Comments like “You are different; you speak differently; you look differently; your personality is different; and you look as if you know something that the rest of us does not know. These comments reinforce my dedication to my new journey.
Thank you for the information on the dogwood legend; it is a beautiful legend, which I heard from my ancestors of long ago. Fortunately, the Lord allows me to live and manage twenty acres of woods in east Texas, where we are literally covered up witih dogwood blossoms each spring. When our dogwoods die from fungus or other natural causes, we harvest them and use the wood for tools and small construction projects.
My church has a worship hall that is without communion alter rails, so I have volunteered to construct two of them. Incorporated in these rails are carvings of the dogwood blossoms in color; included with the rails will be a written explanation of the symbolism of the dogwood blossom for all to read.
Thank you for publishing your piece on the legend of the dogwood; it will be incorporated into this project. Please pray for me on my journey to God’s kingdom.
My mom told me the story of the dogwood when I was around 7 or 8 years old, that was almost 40 years ago and I have always love that story. Although Mom is in heaven now, I enjoy telling the story to anybody.
I remember my mom telling me this story when I was young. probabily 56 or 57 years ago. I love the Dogwood and it’s symbolism
I had a dogwood tree in my front yard and it got hit with a camper but the root is still there God bless the dogwood tree
This is AWESOME!!!!!!
Every Year around this same time (early may) I can just sit outside while
Admiring the beauty that spring would bring and the soothing sounds of birds returning from their winter journey.
In all the years I lived here I never knew that the beautiful trees with white petals that covered the entire wooded area that surrounded my house was the same tree that I have been reading about. So after reading about the remarkable story of the “dog wood” I went a picked one of the tree and just looked at in amazement. The flower tells a beautiful story and is a reflection of what the Bible says.
Today is May 8, I sit out here watching them bloom. I love this time of year. I enjoy the sight of them and the feelings they bring. I never realized how much joy a tree can bring.
the thing that grabs me about this is i am not sure what time of the year it is. but a certain time the color red at the end of the leave is exactly the same color of dried blood. and the way the tree grows and the round marks at the edge of the leave. i find all that rolled into one VERY convincing.
that leave at the top of the page is not stained with red as bad as some i have seen. i have seen some that was stained red worse.
We named our place in the woods and near the withlacoochee river ” Dodwood Acres and thought “How fitting” since we just recently dedicated the place to Gods work for retreats. My heart again filled by the “Holy Spirit”. I realy don’t care if the statement is true or not..just the fact that it’s Gods perfect flower in the shape it is…is enough for me. Praise God for his mighty hand and His Son to free us from sin.
I have always loved the Dogwood tree! I was a little girl when we moved to South Carolina. The house we moved into had a Dogwood tree in the backyard. I knew The Lord’s Prayer and I knew about Jesus but I had not yet been saved nor did we attend church. I was never told the story of the dogwood tree that i know of. I remember standing in my backyard admiring the tree and somehow made the connection with it. I somehow related it to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. I have loved it ever since! This is the first time I have read a story about it and you have done an amazing job telling it. Thank you so much!
May I pass the story and photo on to others?
I remember this story as a kid and was looking for the details and this is the first story I found! Perfect inspiration for a ceramic mural project. Thanks for sharing!