48 FLORAL SYMBOLISM 



the jewelled cross of the Baptist is attached a 

 scroll with the legend, ' Ecce Agnus Dei J and all 

 the symbols are the attributes of the Saviour. 

 Besides the lily, which denotes perfect sinlessness, 

 there are two transparent vases in which are 

 jasmine, violets and roses. The jasmine's starry 

 blooms recall the Heaven which He has left, the 

 violet is a symbol of His humility, and the rose 

 of His divine love. In the wreath behind the 

 throne is jasmine again, with pendant trails of 

 white convolvulus, which is also an emblem of 

 humiUty.' 



Occasionally the Infant Christ is represented 

 offering a branch of lilies to a Saint,"* and then the 

 lily represents the gift of chastity, which He 

 bestows. 



It is only in modern times that Christ, grown 

 to manhood, has been represented with a lily in 

 His hand. An instance is the fresco illustrating 

 the parable of the Wise and the Foolish Virgins, 

 painted in 1864, by Lord Leighton, P.R.A., for 

 Lindhurst Church. The virgins stand on either 

 side of the Celestial Bridegroom, who holds in 



' J. K. Huysmans, La Cath/drale. 



- Attributed to Giotto. Collection of A. E. Street, Esq. 



