The passion flower (Passiflora) is a climbing vine known for its complex and strikingly beautiful blooms. Its unique, architectural structure features layers of petals, sepals, and thread-like filaments emerging from a central base. This intricate physical appearance is the reason the plant received its unusual common name, which points to a deep religious and historical significance.
The Historical Origin of the Name
The name “passion flower” arose in the New World during the 16th and 17th centuries, following the European exploration of the Americas. Spanish Catholic missionaries first documented the plant, seeing in its structure a representation of the Crucifixion of Christ. The word “passion” here refers to the Latin passio, meaning “suffering.” Seeking to convert indigenous populations, missionaries adopted the flower as a powerful teaching aid, using its distinct parts as a tangible analogy for the instruments and figures involved in Christ’s last days. They called this botanical analogy Flos Passionis, or “Flower of the Passion,” and its symbolism was first extensively documented by the Jesuit priest Jacomo Bosio in 1609.
Decoding the Floral Symbolism
The Ten Apostles and the Crown of Thorns
The flower’s unique anatomy was systematically broken down to represent specific elements of the Passion of Christ. The outermost layer consists of five petals and five sepals, totaling ten parts. These ten segments symbolize the ten faithful apostles who remained with Christ during his suffering, excluding Judas and St. Peter. A prominent feature is the corona, a ring of delicate, thread-like filaments above the petals and sepals. This fringe, which can be purple or white, was interpreted as the crown of thorns placed upon Christ’s head.
The Wounds and Nails
The three large stigmas, the female reproductive parts, are visible at the center and represent the three nails used in the Crucifixion. Below the stigmas are the five anthers, the male pollen-producing organs. The five anthers represent the five sacred wounds Christ received: the four from the nails and the wound in his side from the Holy Lance. Furthermore, the thin, coiling tendrils that the vine uses to climb were taken to symbolize the whips used during the scourging of Christ. The pointed tips of the leaves on certain species were sometimes thought to represent the head of the spear that pierced his side.
Scientific Identity and Global Usage
The symbolic common name was formalized by Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy. The genus name Passiflora is a direct Latin translation, combining passio (suffering) and flos (flower). This genus includes over 550 species, most native to the tropical and subtropical Americas. While many species are cultivated for their ornamental value, others are grown for their edible fruits; the fruit of Passiflora edulis, known as passion fruit, is a popular culinary ingredient. The symbolic name remains in use for all species within the genus.