Create Sacred Space in Your Garden in Time for Easter: Supplement Your Lenten Journey with Garden Symbolism

For centuries, Christians have used the natural to explain the supernatural to one another and to their children, passing the faith down from one generation to the next. The use of sacred space around and inside of the home has been a way for the faithful to "pray without ceasing," as St. Paul wrote in I Corinthians. The use of plants and flowers has traditionally been a fairly inexpensive way to surround one's self with visual reminders of Christ's life, death and resurrection, enriching the faith lives of people worldwide throughout history.

You can easily create a sacred space in your home, whether you have room in a garden to section off for flowers and plants with biblical meaning or you're an apartment dweller with a free window which would support a hanging basket containing a pot of plants.

The plants and flowers listed here pertain to the Five Sorrowful Mysteries of the Catholic Rosary, but concentrate on events of Jesus' final hours on earth. These events are worth meditating over no matter which Judeo-Christian background from which you come.

First, the event is listed. Then, an appropriate, modern-day plant is listed. How these plants can be meaningful in your prayer-life or in your meditations is detailed. Use this information to pass along your beliefs to your family or your children or use it solely to enrich yourself and your own spirituality.

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden - Splash Caladiums. - We think of how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane and how he was so distressed, he sweat blood. Look at the Splash Caladiums and think about how his blood fell from his body and onto the plants of the garden.

The Scourging at the Pillar - Snapdragons - We think of how Jesus was tied to the pillar and the whips criss-crossed his back. At the time, the whips had hooks on the end to open flesh more readily. Look at the Snapdragons and think of the open wounds on Christ's back and how yellow, orange and red they must've been.

The Crowning of Thorns - Asters - We think of Jesus standing there before those who mocked him and scorned him, being humiliated by having a crown of thorns placed on his head. "Look, there's the king of the Jews! Look at his crown!" Think of our Lord's sorrow and pain and fear of what he knows is about to pass. Look at the Asters. Each bloom resembles a magnificent crown. Each of the thin, pointed petals somewhat resembles a tiny spike. Although this "crown of thorns" cannot cause us any pain, when you look at it, think of how much pain Christ's crown caused him.

The Carrying of the Cross - Petunias - We think of Jesus carrying the heavy cross down the streets of Jerusalem. We remember how he fell three times. We look at the colors of the Petunia and call to mind how bruised and bloodied Christ's knees must've been. As you look at the fragile petals of the flower, you can almost see the open folds of skin of Christ's bloodied knees.

The Crucifixion - Spikes - We think of Jesus being nailed to the cross and what pain and torture he must've felt. We look at the spikes and call to mind the metal spikes that would've pierced our Lord's wrists and feet.

There are many, many more plants and flowers that call to mind many more of the events of Christ's life and the lives of the saints. If the topic of biblical gardens is of interest to you, Mary Gardens is a wealth of information. The writers of this web site maintain a database of information regarding common names, latin names and best planting and growing conditions for each plant they list. They also have a comprehensive list of legend, folklore and traditional stories regarding the plants in their database. The St. Anthony Messenger also has a very good article regarding Mary Gardens and meditations and prayers to say while planting/maintaining your garden.

Wikipedia maintains a good list of plants appropriate for Biblical Gardens and a fairly good selection of links for valuable information. BiblicalGardens.org offers free Shasta Daisies to get kids started planting their own Biblical Gardens. And GardenVisit.com has a very good article called "Sacred Space: Religion and Garden Design History" which you might find helpful as well.