passion flower. The passion flower was so named in medieval Spain because its parts are said to resemble Christ’s instru- ments of passion, its corona being the crown of thorns, the five sepals and five petals representing the ten apostles (Peter and Judas not counted), etc. A list of these similarities follows: Leaf—symbolizes the spear Five anthers—the five wounds Tendrils—the whips Column of the ovary—pillar of the cross Stamens—hammers Three styles—three nails Fleshy threads within flowers—crown of thorns Calyx—the glory or nimbus White tint—purity Blue tint—heaven |