The dogwood tree holds a special meaning for many Christians, as it is associated with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. According to legend, the dogwood was once a tall and sturdy tree, but after being used to construct the cross on which Jesus was crucified, God cursed the tree to never grow large enough again to be used as a cross. There are several key aspects to the legend of the dogwood tree:
The Dogwood was Once a Tall, Sturdy Tree
In the beginning, before being used as the timber for Jesus’ cross, the dogwood is said to have been a tall, staunch tree like an oak or maple. Its wood was strong and sturdy, useful for constructing many things. Some versions of the legend state that the dogwood was similar in size to a mighty cedar of Lebanon.
The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (Psalm 92:12)
So in its original form, the dogwood grew tall and firm like the cedars used to construct the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Its wood was useful for bearings weighty loads and stabilizing sturdy structures. It was the ideal timber for constructing a crucifixion cross.
The Dogwood was Chosen as the Cross Timber
According to the legend, once Jesus Christ was condemned to death by crucifixion, Roman soldiers searched for a suitable tree to use for the cross. They chose the dogwood because of its sturdy trunk and limbs, which would support the weight of a man. Some versions specify it was growing on the hill where Jesus was crucified.
And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. (Luke 23:26-27)
The dogwood’s broad trunk and strong branches made it an ideal timber for crucifixion crosses, which were designed to induce maximum pain and suffering. The soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross, hewn from the dogwood tree, to Calvary.
Jesus Was Nailed to the Dogwood Cross
At the place of the skull in Jerusalem, Jesus was stripped of His clothing and nailed to the cross made from the dogwood tree. He suffered immense physical agony as the nails pierced His hands and feet. The dogwood was sturdy enough to support His body weight despite His writhing in anguish.
And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. (Luke 23:33)
The dogwood fulfilled its purpose, upholding Jesus atop the crucifixion cross where He labored to breathe as blood loss slowly took His life. The dogwood timbers held firm even as the sky turned dark and the earth shook at Jesus’ death.
The Dogwood Was Cursed to Never Grow Large Again
According to legend, after Jesus’ resurrection His apostles realized the dogwood had been used to construct the cross on which their Messiah was crucified. Peter and the others cursed the tree for its role in Jesus’ agonizing death. Other versions claim the tree was cursed by Jesus Himself from heaven. Either way, God responded by decreeing that the dogwood would forever be limited in size, never again growing large enough to be used as a cross.
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:9-10)
Though well-intended for use in crucifixion, the dogwood bore the mission of pain, suffering and death. So God granted that it would remain only a small, slender tree, its wood never again suitable for a cross.
The Dogwood Bears the Signs of the Curse
The legend says that to this day, the dogwood shows evidence of the curse placed upon it:
- Its short, slender trunk indicates stunted growth.
- Its twisted, rough branches reveal deformation.
- Its four petal flowers, with nail-like markings on each petal, display Jesus’ crucifixion.
- Its red berries represent Jesus’ blood shed on the cross.
So the current stunted and deformed dogwood tree recalls the fateful role its timber played in Jesus’ death. Its delicate blossoms keep the memory of the crucifixion alive, reminding us of Christ’s sacrificial love and suffering.
We preach Christ crucified… (1 Corinthians 1:23)
Though once tall and mighty like a cedar of Lebanon, the dogwood was destined to facilitate Jesus’ atoning work on the cross. Its cursed and transformed appearance now evokes an ongoing testimony of the crucifixion.
Key Themes and Messages
The legend of the dogwood reveals key themes and messages:
- Fulfillment of Purpose – Though it led to a curse, the dogwood fulfilled its God-ordained purpose as the timber of Jesus’ cross.
- Consequences of Actions – The dogwood faced consequences (the curse) for playing a role in Jesus’ crucifixion.
- Redemption through Suffering – Like Jesus, the dogwood found redemption from its “curse” through suffering.
- New Life through Death – The dogwood was transformed into a new creation, just as Christ’s death brought new life.
- Remembrance through Signs – The dogwood’s flowers and fruits now recall the crucifixion.
This legend highlights God’s sovereignty, as He orchestrated events so that the dogwood would be the cross timber. Out of its suffering and curse arose commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice.
Origin and History of the Legend
The legend of the dogwood tree seems to have arisen and been transmitted orally during colonial times across the eastern United States. Early American Christian settlers shared this legend through word of mouth and sermons as early as the late 18th century. The story spread and became rooted in American Christian tradition and folklore.
One of the earliest known written accounts of the legend appears in the autobiographical novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Civil War Union general Lew Wallace, published in 1880. In Chapter Thirty-Five, Wallace writes:
The cross had been made of a dogwood tree, so that, being sanctified by contact with the body of Christ, its timber would thenceforward be unfit for any profane purpose.
This brief allusion indicates the legend was already well-established by the late 19th century. In 1913, Reverend H.H. Moseley included a more detailed reference to the legend in a sermon archived in the Library of Congress:
It was made of the Dogwood tree. It is told that during the flight of Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus into Egypt, when they stopped to rest for the night, the Virgin Mary noticed a thorny plant bearing beautiful white flowers with purple centers. She decided to reach for some branches to decorate the rest area. When she did this, the thorns miraculously became red spots and the tips of each leaf turned red. Now the beautiful Dogwood blooms during the Easter season–its petals stand as a representation of the cross, the red stains like blood, and the crown of thorns.
This retelling from a 1913 sermon shows variation and embellishment of the legend over time. It reveals how the basic legend became augmented with supplementary details as it was retold across generations. The story remained largely the same at its core, but accretions occurred surrounding the narrative.
Interpretations and Analysis of the Legend
A variety of interpretations have been proposed for the meaning and significance of the dogwood legend:
- Symbol of New Life – The dogwood represents new life purchased through Christ’s death, as its blossoms and fruits signal the promise of rebirth and redemption after suffering.
- Emblem of the Crucifixion – The distinctive markings on its petals and configuration of its blooms evoke an ongoing remembrance of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross.
- Sign of God’s Power – The inability of the dogwood to grow large illustrates God’s authority and sovereignty to supersede nature.
- Warning Against Pride – The curse may warn believers not to become arrogant or prideful in their faith, lest they too be humbled under God’s mighty hand.
Regardless of the perspective, it is clear the legend is intended to glorify the redemptive work Christ accomplished through His death on the cross. The dogwood represents the triumph of new life and hope emerging from the suffering and darkness of the crucifixion.
The Legend’s Relevance Today
In modern times, the legend remains meaningful for Christians in observing Easter and Lent:
- It connects Christ’s redemption to creation by highlighting a specific tree intertwined with the crucifixion.
- It provides a vivid botanical symbol of rebirth and new creation for contemporary believers.
- It offers a metaphor for those who endure hardship with hope and find new life on the other side of suffering.
Though botanists may dismiss the legend as imaginative folklore, it endures because of its resonant symbolism and ability to inspire faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
Conclusion
In summary, the legend of the dogwood tree sprouts from the deep roots of Christian tradition. It resonates with symbols of death, redemption and new life in Christ. This memorable folk legend continues to adorn Easter observances with its elegant white and crimson blossoms, reminding us anew of Jesus’ painful yet hope-filled sacrifice upon the cross. The dogwood will forever be intertwined with its unwilling yet essential role in the crucifixion of Christ.