" The unusual shape of the flowers has led to the plant being associated in Christian symbolism with the passion of Jesus; the three stigmas representing the three nails used to nail Jesus to the cross, the ovary and its stalk representing the chalice of the Last Supper, the five anthers representing the five wounds, the corona representing the Crown of Thorns, the ten "petals" (actually five petals and five sepals) the Apostles (save Judas the traitor and Peter the denier); the old leaves also represent the hands of those who persecuted Him, the young leaves the point of the lance used to stab Him, and the tendrils the whips of those who beat Him. "
Fleur de la Passion
" Elles tirent leur nom du fait que les missionnaires jésuites d'Amérique du Sud se servaient, pour représenter la Passion du Christ auprès des indigènes, de la fleur de cette liane : son pistil, les dessins de sa corolle et diverses pièces florales ressembleraient à une couronne d'épines, au marteau et aux clous de la Crucifixion. "
