The Rose and the Violet:
The Rose, is the symbol of the Blessed Virgin of prophecy, the rose plant bearing the flower, Christ, and exquisite beauty, and the fragrance left behind in her empty tomb when opened.
The Violet represents Mary's humility "regarded by the Lord".
The strawberry symbolizes Our Lady as the "Fruitful Virgin", in flower and fruit at the same time, and is also a symbol of the eternity of Mary's loving mediation in Heaven.
The Christmas rose, representing the "Flowering Stem of Jesse" in Isaiah, symbolizes the Virgin birth of the Divine Redeemer.
The Pomegranate is an emblem both for the Church and for Our Lady, for fruitfulness and unity with the Will of God, because the seeds are so close to one another.
There are several masterpiece paintings with the Madonna and Child holding a Pomegranate. The one above by Botticelli is the best known and loved and in the best condition. Leonardo da Vinci painted an exquisite one, but the deterioration, like so many of his works, is so advanced I could not "restore" it.
The symbol of the Immaculate Heart , sometimes with a sword piercing it, is in reference to Simeon's prophecy in St. Luke, Chapter 32, Verse 35:
And thine own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.
Other times the Lily replaces the Sword, as it does here.
The Sword is for sorrow, the Lily for purity and joy. Long ago, a circle of thorns used to replace the roses.
VIEW THE IMMACULATE HEART IMAGE, PLAIN
Other flower associations with Mary's Divine prerogatives include the Impatiens, symbolical pure adornments of the ears of Mary who heard the word of God and kept it; the Lady-slipper "Our Lady's Slipper", symbol of Mary's graceful Visitation trip to visit Elizabeth in the hill country: "All her steps were most beauteous."
Thistle-Down another Visitation symbol, from its graceful movement in air currents; the Daisy: "Mary's Flower of God"; and the Columbine, symbol of the dove which represents the Holy Spirit, Mary's overshadowing, indwelling, Divine Spouse.
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