II 



THE FLOWER SYMBOLISTS 



Christian symbolists divided the plant world 

 into three divisions — the good, the bad, and those 

 which, from want of definite characteristics, 

 were not worthy of notice. In their judgment 

 they were guided by several principles. 



In the first place, and this was the most 

 important method, they searched the Scriptures 

 for their warrant as to the good or evil tendencies 

 of any plant or flower. Those with whom the 

 Divinity had identified Himself took precedence 

 of all others. Christ had said, ' I am the True 

 Vine,' and the vine, since the earliest days of 

 Christianity, has had the place of highest 

 honour in the decoration of Christian churches 

 as the emblem of Christ Himself. When the 

 difficulties were removed which prevented the 

 Early Church from representing Christ under 

 His own form, the emblem was less seen, but 



it has always remained a sacred plant, and 



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