The Rose of Sharon and the Lilies of the Field

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales larger image

Two-light window, mainly decorative, with the flowers and texts. technique: stained glass Church of St Egwad, Llanegwad, Carmarthenshire south wall of the nave Biblical texts at the top of the window: 'I am the Rose of Sharon'; 'Consider the lilies of the field'. Dedication: To the Glory of God and in loving memory of David Griffith of Alltyferin and Elizabeth his beloved wife and also of those that are gone before. This window was erected by their two surviving daughters. The rose of Sharon has been tentatively identified with the sweet-scented narcissus (Narcissus tazetta) which is a native of Palestine and grows on the plain of Sharon. 'Mystic rose' is a title of the Virgin Mary. for her mystical participation in the life of the Holy Trinity. The lily appears in the same verse from Song of Songs (1:1-2). Although here shown in white, the symbol of purity carried by Gabriel in images of the Annunciation (or shown growing in a pot) the lily referred to in Song of Songs would have been red (for comparison with the lips of the beloved) and in Jesus' reference (Matthew 6:28-9)to the glorious 'lily of the field'. Botanists favour the Anemone coronaria as the flower referred to - not a lily at all, but because of its ubiquity the most natural flower for Jesus to pluck and seize upon as an illustration. It is called 'susan' by the Arabs and the Hebrew word 'shusan' is used for the flower in Song of Songs.  (ObjectID=903 ImageID=1678) Original File Name=_MG_4893.jpg

This artwork is indexed under the following main subject(s):
for other works containing these subjects please click on the links.

• consider the lilies of the field' - doctrine of Christ on anxiety and precaution  [Matthew 6:28; Luke 12:27]
• flowers 
• Song of Solomon, Song of Songs  [Song of Solomon :]

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales