Do you know the Legend of the Dogwood? It’s just that. A legend. But it does add an element of spiritual significance to our enjoyment of one of the most beautiful trees of spring.
As the legend goes, the dogwood tree was once much larger and stronger than it is today. So large, in fact, that the wood of the dogwood tree was used in the construction of the cross on which our Savior died. Again according to legend, the tree was sad and distraught to be used in this manner. (Can a tree be sad? Well, there is the weeping willow I suppose.) 
The legend says Jesus recognized the tree’s distress and to ensure it would never be used in such a cruel way again, decreed that from that day forward dogwood trees would be small and slender, often with a twisted trunk.
That’s interesting, but it is the part of the legend that describes the symbolism in the dogwood blossom that may be most worthy of belief.
If you’ve ever looked closely at a dogwood blossom, you know there are four petals forming the shape of the cross. The marks in the center of each flower resemble nail holes. The edge of each petal has a darker tinge, symbolizing the blood shed by Jesus when He died on the cross for our sins. I love that part of the legend, so I think of it whenever I see a dogwood blossom. I add gratitude for my salvation to my enjoyment of the blossom’s natural beauty.
In my annual search for spring long before it arrives in Colorado, I often journey to the South in April. 
This year I was blessed to arrive in my hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, just as the dogwood trees were at their peak. My sisters and I traversed as many of the designated “dogwood trails” in town as we could. I was always on the lookout for pink and white dogwoods adjacent to one another because I love the contrast. If a blazing azalea bush was nearby, so much the better!
I don’t know if any part of the inspiring Legend of the Dogwood is true, but I do know that God did some of His most glorious work when He created the dogwood tree. To gaze at its beauty blesses me beyond belief in any legend.
Beautifully expressed!! Love our Dogwood trees and our wonderful driving trails each Spring
during our Dogwood Arts Festival!!💕
Thanks, Barbara. It truly is a display of stunning beauty!
A beautiful legend for a beautiful tree, tinged with a sadness, yet with its overcoming redemption story. I love to see the Dogwoods blooming joyfully in my yard each Spring as they quietly remind me I have thankfully been redeemed in reality by the creator of everything. His name is Jesus. What a beautiful name.
The most beautiful name of all! Thanks, Sandy. And continue to enjoy your yard.
Will forever remember our Dogwood time together this year!! I love you sweet sister!!
I love you, too, and yes! We “made a memory” for sure! 🙂
Nancy, I have known about this legend since high school, when we lived in Pennsylvania. We had three dogwood trees, pink and white, in our front yard. When they bloomed every spring, I was always reminded of the legend! Our family looked forward to seeing them each year. Fortunately, we didn’t have late freezes in that state, so we never missed a year seeing the blooms. Unfortunately, I can’t ever remember seeing a dogwood tree in bloom in Colorado Springs, but this year we have our plentiful and beautiful crab apple trees, now in full bloom, almost a month in advance, with no hard late freezes, and today, Pierre and I drove around our neighborhood to enjoy them. Country Club Drive, near “Palmer Park” has its street lined with them between the sidewalk and the curb. Seeing them is so uplifting! Thank you for reminding us of the legend and, also, Jesus’ suffering on the cross for the remission of our sins!
God’s love and hugs to you, always,
Louise
Hi Louise! So nice to hear from you and realize we have a shared childhood memory of dogwoods! I agree the crab apples here are gorgeous this year though. Especially the older, more established ones. Enjoy!
Thank you, Nancy. I love those dogwoods!
Thank you, Sue! Hope you are enjoying our “on again, off again” spring, too!
Me too, Sue! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Masterful observer of nature; masterful application of Truth from the Creator. You paint the beauty of creation so well, my friend!
Thank you, Alice. What a privilege to be an observer of God’s handiwork.
This is our first spring in east Texas and living on a private lake. There were not any dogwoods on our property. Hearing of the harsh heat of the past two summers, many of the dogwoods parishes. We appreciate gardening done well, so we purchased 3 white dogwoods in hopes that they will prosper and help to restore beauty around the lake. Living in Texas is culturally a very different experience than we ever expected. I miss those lovely Colorado mountains.
Cheryl, I’ve been longing to live in Texas–the land of the free! Thanks for the reminder that the grass isn’t always greener somewhere else. I hope that in time you come to enjoy the beauty unique to where you are and “bloom where you are planted.” Always so good to hear from you.