Passion Flower (Passiflora)

[jprzybyla]

Passion Flower grows wild in Florida. It was named by early Jesuit missionaries to the new world who associated certain aspects of the flower with their Christian beliefs. The ten petals of the flower represent the ten apostles minus Judas and Peter. The filaments of the flower symbolize the Crown of Thorns placed on Jesus's head. The five anthers are associated with the five sacred wounds of Christ. The three stigmas relate to the three nails that were used in the Crucifixion of Christ to secure his hands and feet. The vines of the plant were thought of as the whips used in the flagellation of Christ. The flower blooms for one day then closing to resemble a chalice suggested to symbolize the Holy Grail.

C&C welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

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[teokf]

thanks for the history behind the naming of the flower, I didn't know about it.

It would be good if you could shoot the flower from different perspectives rather than all three from top view.

[Muriel]

Nice shots and nice journaling with the picture. This site is a source of a lot of interesting information on top of all the photo info.

[wlou]

Very interesting story Joe. I agree with Steven, different perspectives would illistrate this flower well. For an artistic effect, try different time of day, early morning has great light. Good job.

[Bobobird]

Thanks for the historical info. Here is more from wikipedia -

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"). Older Germanic names[15] include Christus-Krone ("Christ's crown"), Christus-Strauss ("Christ's bouquet"[16]), Dorn-Krone ("crown of thorns"), Jesus-Lijden ("Jesus' passion"), Marter ("passion"[17]) or Muttergottes-Stern ("Mother of God's star"[18]).

Outside the Christian heartland, the regularly shaped flowers have reminded people of the face of a clock; in Israel they are known as "clock-flower" (שעונית), and in Japan they are called tokeisō (時計草, "clock plant"). In Hawaiian, they are called lilikoʻi; lī is a string used for tying fabric together, such as a shoelace, and liko means "to spring forth leaves".

In India, blue passionflowers are called Krishnakamala in Karnataka and Maharashtra, while in UP and generally north it is colloquially called "Paanch Paandav". The flower's structure lends itself to the interpretation along the lines of five Pandavas, the Divine Krishna at centre, and the opposing hundred at the edges. The colour blue is moreover associated with Krishna as colour of his aura.

In northern Peru and Bolivia, the banana passionfruits are known as tumbos. This is one possible source of the name of the Tumbes region of Peru.

In Turkey shape of the flowers have reminded people of Rota Fortunae thus it called Çarkıfelek.

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Personally I like tumbos - sounds grandish.
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Pics - #1 is the standout here though I agree with the others. Try different angles, maybe even try from behind or through the petals.

[jprzybyla]

Thanks to all who have commented. I agree with the comments concerning different perspectives and would have if possible. Two of the blossoms were close to the ground not allowing another perspective. The third although the vine was climbing on a pine tree the area had many rattlesnakes which made me reluctant to venture off the trail. On the next visit there (this week) a vine in blossom will be closer to the trail and provide different angles. Thanks again to all who viewed and commented.

[Bobobird]

Joe - getting some rattler shots would be cool.... but be careful.

[jprzybyla]

Joe - getting some rattler shots would be cool.... but be careful.

Just smiles...thanks Bobo.