Plants of the Christian Church: Plant lore & floral symbolism

Plants of the Christian Church is a fascinating insight into the folklore and spiritual uses of plants traditionally associated with biblical figures and locations including Mary, Jesus, the Garden of Eden, the apostles and saints. Beautifully illustrated with vintage botanical plates and reproductions of classical artwork, as well as featuring text from the original work – Plant Lore Legends & Lyrics – this full-colour edition delves into the long association between common plants and wildflowers of Europe and the Holy Land, and the figures of the Bible. From Mary’s connection with the lily, snowdrop and narcissus, to the crown of thorns, the tree of paradise and the Judas tree, discover the long history of telling the stories of the Bible through plants, and the way in which artists through the centuries have used plant symbolism in their work to create images of some of the most resonant stories in history. Plants of the Christian Church is essential reading for anyone interested in the botanical and folkloric legends of Christian tradition, or the imagery and art that reference it. Contents include: Plants of the New Testament – The Virgin Mary and her Flowers – The Plants of Bethlehem – Flora of the Flight into Egypt – The Garden of Gethsemane – Plants of the Passion Plants of the Christian Church and Flowers of the Saints – Plant Divination on St. John’s Eve – Decoration of Churches – Flowers of the Church’s Festivals – Memorial Trees Plants of the Old Testament – Eden and the Walls of its Garden – The Tree of Life – The Tree of Knowledge – Moses and his Rods – Solomon and the Cedars of Lebanon