“In the late Middle Ages, depictions of the Virgin Mary in an idealized garden were common in Flemish and German paintings. The flower symbolism in the gardens depicted represented Mary’s virtues and significant events in her life. Some churches began creating actual gardens devoted to Mother Mary for worshipers to visit for meditation and prayer. These gardens had both symbolic and spiritual dimensions and would include flowers based on the flower symbolism associated with Mother Mary.”
~ Mary Garden Flower Symbolism
By Kathleen Karlsen, MA

I came across Ms. Karlsen’s lovely introduction and link, and it began to move my spirit. I was immediately taken back to a time in my early elementary school years when I attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH). Each year, on May 1st, the nuns at the OLPH school and convent, along with the parishioners, held an annual May Day carnival for the children.

At the front of the old OLPH church was a statue of the Virgin Mary. If I remember correctly, we had some kind of procession moving that statue from the church to a place in the center of the carnival grounds behind the church hall. This honor was bestowed on a few select upper grade girls from the school, and I remember wanting to be one of Our Lady’s carriers one day. I thought it to be a very special role.

Before the annual procession, I always looked forward to helping “dress” the statue of the Virgin with flowers that Mama helped me gather from the beautiful Chinese Plum tree and Hydranga bushes in our yard. Hydranga’s religious meaning meant “Ave Maria,” and the Chinese Plum blossom was the beloved harbinger of Spring, perfect for May Day. The “dressing” of Mary was something the little girls were privileged to do, and it too, was a great honor. With flowers wrapped in wet paper towels and covered with foil, I proudly brought up my gifts and placed them at Our Lady’s feet, in her hands, around her neck or on her head as a crown to adorn her.

To me, this was as close to Mary as I could tangibly get. I was simply mesmerized by her. Besides being the “Mother of God,” the “Madonna” was the “Blessed Virgin,” the “Mother of Mercy”, the “Comforter of the Afflicted” and the “Queen of Heaven.” She was the “Mystic Rose,” the “Star of the Sea,” the “Seat of Wisdom” and the “Cause of Our Joy.” Undeniably, Mary was “Our Lady of just-about-everything,” and I had a love affair with her as a child, which has continued long into my adult life.

As a little girl, I recall having a small statue of the Madonna which rested on the window sill above my bed. Each night, as I said my prayers, I looked at her tiny, doll-like face and often imagined her nodding to each of my prayers, blessings and requests for intervention.

In my upper elementary school years, I carried a prayer card given to me by a Grandmother or an Auntie. On the front, it showed Mary’s crowned, veiled, open-armed image radiating light from her hands and her heart. I believe it was “Our Lady of Fatima,” whose story we learned by heart as wee children from our devout Catholic, Portuguese Grandmother. On the back of the card was the “Hail Mary” prayer, which became my childhood mantra in times of fear, pain or need. That mantra could chase away the darkest demons because I knew the Madonna watched over me and whispered words of wisdom.

By the time I entered middle school, another prayer card worked it’s way into my hands, this time, a gift from my mother. On the front, the Virgin with folded hands and down-cast eyes symbolized modesty, which I’m sure was a subtle reminder (with a small spoonful of Catholic guilt) from the powers that be to “stay pure” in body, mind and thought. On the front of the card was “A Girl Sweetheart’s Daily Prayer,” beseeching Mary’s guidance in the choice of a future husband.

On the back were six rules for a happy and successful friendship and courtship that ever-so-sweetly reminded me to keep my friendships and courtships chaste, prudent and unselfish. The rules advised me of the “womanly ways” of a typical Catholic, subservient wife. While I wasn’t so great at being subservient and not so hot at following these “rules,” I still knew that Mary would be my companion in my single, as well as my wedded, life. As the song goes, “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me.”

If I were to plant a Marian garden, it would be symbolic in both a personal and Marian way. There would be Daisies to remind me of the wide-eyed innocence of my childhood awe, as well as to symbolize purity, innocence, simplicity and humility — all qualities of the Virgin.

I would add Lady’s Mantle or Babies Breath to symbolize her veil and cloak, and plant Rosemary, which is a natural preservative and whose pale blue flowers are said to have taken their color from Mother Mary’s veil when she spread it over a rosemary bush.

Since Lilies are associated with purity, fertility, virtue, faith, and wisdom, they would also be a part of my Marian garden. The flower symbolism of lilies is often associated with the annunciation to Mary of the birth of Jesus by the angel Gabriel. Lily of the Valley is often found in Marian gardens representing both the Tears of the Virgin Mary and a Return to Happiness. They would grow there too.

The wild strawberry is designated as the fruit of the Virgin Mary and of blessed souls in heaven. The strawberries would draw the birds, whose wings would create skymindedness and keep me positive and looking up.

And there would be Roses to border the garden; Roses that symbolize love, remembrance and the passion Mother Mary had for her son. Additionally, my Marian garden would contain the Christmas Rose, with it’s pure white or pink flowers commemorating the day Mary became a mother.

I would plant Snowdrops, also known as “Our Lady’s Bells,” which are used to decorate cathedrals during Candlemas on February 2nd — the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, a time also known as The Purification of Saint Mary the Virgin. Snowdrops are among the first bulbs to bloom in spring and they symbolize hope.

There would also be Irises with their blade-shaped foliage to denote the sorrows which pierced Mother Mary’s heart as she cradled the dead body of her son, Jesus. Yet, Irises also symbolize faith, hope and wisdom. I would want these in my garden as well.

My Marian garden would have the Madonna featured with Marigold near her feet. Marigold has been known as ‘poor man’s gold.’ It would be placed at her feet in veneration as ‘golden gifts’ fit for the “Queen of Heaven.”

Finally, my garden would have Sunflowers, my all time favorite flower, which has been adopted as a symbol of happiness, strength, and a love of the sun & sunlight. Because it is said to always turn its face to the sun, it is considered by some to be a symbol of faith. This would prove a gentle reminder to me not to lose my own faith in all the is good and right in the world.

While not everyone has a tie to Mary through a religious upbringing, I think many would still agree that Mary is the soul essence of the feminine in all of us. She is the symbol of creation. She is “Earth Mother.” She is an expression of the feminine aspect of the divine, a personification of love and compassion. Sit with her in the garden of your mind, hold her in your heart and feel her light magnify at your center.

Holy Mary, blessed art thou among women.

Posted by LaRonda on Sunday, January 17th, 2010 at 12:01 am.