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."
