There is a beautiful story about the dogwood tree being the wood used for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The story, generally told at Easter when the dogwoods flower, adds that Christ caused the flowers of the dogwood to be a reminder of the cross on which He died. He allegedly did this by giving the flower two long and two short petals, and to have what look like nail prints on the petals to remind us that Christ suffered on the cross with nails through His hands.
The pink dogwood is said to represent the blushing of shame for shedding innocent blood. The weeping dogwood represents a heartfelt cry over this tree's being used to crucify Christ.
An imaginative story but since there is no evidence that the dogwood is native to the Holy Land, it is unlikely this legend has any basis in fact.
I think Dogwoods are my favorite flowering tree, and although the story is a legend (correct- dogwoods are not indigenous to Israel), the use of the world God created is a wonderful way to teach about His love for us. This is a beautiful picture to celebrate a lovely story and an amazing sacrifice.
