An old and beautiful legend has
it that, at the time of the crucifixion,
the dogwood was comparable in size
to the oak tree and other monarchs
of the forest. Because of its firmness
and strength it was selected as
the timber for the cross, but to be put
to such a cruel use greatly distressed
the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus
in his gentle pity for the sorrow
and suffering of all said to it:
"Because of your sorrow and pity
for My sufferings, never again will the
dogwood tree grow large enough
to be used as a cross. Henceforth it will
be slender, bent and twisted and its
blossoms will be in the form of a
cross ~ two long and two short petals.
In the center of the outer edge
of each petal there will
be nail prints ~ brown with rust
and stained with red ~ and in the center
of the flower will be a crown of
thorns, and all who see this will remember."