The name "Passion" refers to the Christian theological icon of the passion of Christ on the cross. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish Christian missionaries discovered this flower and adopted its unique physical structures as symbols of Crucifixion. For example: the radial filaments which can number more than a hundred and vary from flower to flower represent the Crown of Thorns. The ten petals and sepals represent the ten faithful apostles. The top 3 stigmata represent the 3 nails and the lower 5 anthers represent the 5 wounds. The flower has been given names related to this symbolism throughout Europe since that time. In Spain, it is known as Espina de Cristo (Christ's Thorn). In Germany it was once known as Muttergottes-Schuzchen (Mother-of-God's Star). In Israel they are referred to as clock-flower. In Japan, they are known as clock plant. In North America they are also called the Maypop, the water lemon, and the wild apricot (after its fruit). Native Americans in the Tennessee area called it ocoee, and the Ocoee River and valley are named after it. (Wikipedia)
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ana dilodilo 06 Oct 2009
very pretty Lili!Joke Schotting 27 Oct 2008
Absoluut beautiful Lili!!!!Mrs.David Jobes(Dee) Jobes 26 Sep 2008
Wow,Amazing Brilliant Beautiful capture of a most unique Beautiful flower!!!SUPERB Camera work,Lili!!!Thanks for the informative commentary!!!Hope You and Your Family are doing well Dear Friend,Sorry I missed this one!!!Hugs... Dee&David :):)Doris Blessington 13 Sep 2008
Beautiful Passion Flower! I've photgraphed a couple of these, but never with such wonder!Richard Henne 26 Aug 2008
Nice image. lowere left corner could use a bit of burning in.