Material of the crown of thorns of Christ

[AlfrunGrima]

With one of my choirs I sing every year a Matthew Passion, which is not only the singing but is felt every year like a deep spiritual experience. From there I like to take a sidestep: Christ wears a crown of thorns at the crucifixion. Is there information or a tradition known about from which plant/tree the crown of thorns could be made? I know the symbolism of the crown, I only want to know more about which possible plants or tree could be used. Thanks in advance for reactions and ideas!

 

[Yazata]

For some reason I thought it would be roses (first time I'm thinking about it actually..), but this article on the Catholic Encyclopedia gives it as Zyziphus Spina Christi:

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[AlfrunGrima]

This is very interesting, thanks for the add!

 

[MidnightProphet]

It is commonly believed to have been one of the fragrant acacias, possibly Vachellia farnesiana, which was used for incense and oil preparation.

 

[8Lou1]

im not talking symbolically, but looks and simple use alone. ( i read it as if thats what you are asking)
i think you should look for something with thorns and a wood like stem thats still bendable. here in the netherlands a plant like that, that grows in the wild is 'braam'. makes me personally think of the burning bush story, so it might not be right. if you would go to a garden store like intratuin or hornbach one can also find many plants with such characteristics, like berberis or meidoorn.

if i would think of how the crown of thorns was used and that they used a plant living in their surroundings i would use brandnetel. but thats prob too realistic.

 

[AlfrunGrima]

im not talking symbolically, but looks and simple use alone. ( i read it as if thats what you are asking)
i think you should look for something with thorns and a wood like stem thats still bendable. here in the netherlands a plant like that, that grows in the wild is 'braam'. makes me personally think of the burning bush story, so it might not be right. if you would go to a garden store like intratuin or hornbach one can also find many plants with such characteristics, like berberis or meidoorn.

if i would think of how the crown of thorns was used and that they used a plant living in their surroundings i would use brandnetel. but thats prob too realistic.

Yeah, but this was not what I was searching for. I was watching for planta that are traditionally associated with the thorn crown. I am from the Netherlands, I use the braam/blackberrie in my magic, but different (see other topic) thank you nevertheless for answering!

Post automatically merged: Thursday at 8:52 PM

It is commonly believed to have been one of the fragrant acacias, possibly Vachellia farnesiana, which was used for incense and oil preparation.

Can you pin point the sources? Thank you for the input!

 

[MidnightProphet]

Yeah, but this was not what I was searching for. I was watching for planta that are traditionally associated with the thorn crown. I am from the Netherlands, I use the braam/blackberrie in my magic, but different (see other topic) thank you nevertheless for answering!

Post automatically merged: Thursday at 8:52 PM

Can you pin point the sources? Thank you for the input!

I would suggest reading "The Symbolism of Freemasonry" by Albert G. Mackey.

 

[AlfrunGrima]

I would suggest reading "The Symbolism of Freemasonry" by Albert G. Mackey.

Thank you very much for the suggestion! It is on the list to read!

 

[MidnightProphet]

Thank you very much for the suggestion! It is on the list to read!

Mackey makes reference to acacia and its potential use as the crown of thorns in various places, with references to other works. Sorry I can not provide more accurate reference.