Legend of the Dogwood

Here is a picture of the "Legend of the Dogwood".  The Dogwood is the State Flower of Virginia, and we gave this to my Mother during the years we lived back there. The Legend was discussed at coffee this morning and Elaine reminded me of this picture which we have had since Mother's passing 26 years ago. Legend has it that, Dogwood once grew to the size of the Oak. Because it was strong and firm, it was chosen, according to legend, for the timber of the cross of Jesus.  When the tree sorrowed over seeing such a cruel purpose, Jesus made this promise: "Never again shall the Dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender and bent and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long petals and two short petals and in the center of the outer side of each petal, there shall be nail prints brown with rust-stain and blood. And in the center of the flower, there shall be an image of a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember that it was upon a Dogwood tree I was crucified and this tree shall not be mutilated or destroyed, but cherished as a reminder of 'My Death Upon the Cross.' "