Passion Flower is unique among the old religious flower symbols because it focused on Christianity and also provided a visual means of teaching the Gospel in an era where there were no printed materials.
Historically it has been associated with Jesuit priests, in South America during the early 17th century.
The symbolism of the Passion Flower, was discerned by a Mexican Augustinian Friar Emmanuel de Villegas, who reported it in Europe in the year 1610.
It includes the following:
The spiraled tendrils - the Lash of Christ's Scourging
The central flower column - the pillar of the Scourging
The 72 radial filaments - the Crown of Thorns
The top 3 stigma - the 3 Nails
The lower 5 anthers - the 5 wounds
The leaves - the head of the Centaurian's Spear
The red stains - Christ's Blood Drops
The Round Fruit - The World Christ came to save
Passion Flower is native to the tropical Americas.
The colloquial name for this plant is May-pop which refers to the tendency for its edible fruit to pop when stepped upon.
It is a woody vine which bears small berry-like fruit called Granadilla or Water Lemon.
Early Americans applied the crushed leaves as a poultice to treat bruises.
They also brewed the woody vines and drank the tea to soothe their nerves.
It was used as a tranquilizer to treat insomnia, fatigue, tension, and muscle spasms.
It seems to have a narcotic like effect when taken internally.
The Passionflower has no known toxicity but it should be used conservitively.
Passionflower blossoms have been used as a meditative aid.
The flower can be hypnotic.
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