Do you have any crocus flowers in your garden? I can remember when I was in the infant school, the crocus was the subject of much artwork – being reasonably simple to draw and one of the first flowers to appear after the winter.
It isn’t native to our country, but originated in the Mediterranean area, Southern Europe and some parts of Asia. It’s earliest description thought to be in Theophrastus’ writings between 371 and 287 BC. The Romans brought it to Britain as they used it in cooking and as a fabric dye and fragrant oil.
According to Greek legend Crocus was a mortal youth the gods turned into a plant bearing his name, the crocus, after his death caused by his great desire and unfulfilled love for the shepherdess Smilax. Other versions state that as he died three tears fell into the flower becoming its three stigmata.
Some varieties can be used to produce saffron from its dried stigma. Nowadays one region producing saffron is the suitably named Krokos in Greece although 65% of the global production happens in Iran. It takes 180,000 stigmas from 60,000 flowers to produce 1 kg of saffron which sells for $10,000 (US) or roughly £7500.
The crocus is mentioned in the Old Testament, in Song of Solomon 2:1,
“I am a crocus of Sharon, a lily of the valley.” A crocus here being a metaphor for beauty and grace, symbolising the beloved’s attractiveness and purity. The crocus is identified as a flower that blooms in challenging conditions, thus representing hope and renewal. This imagery suggests that the beloved is both beautiful and resilient, much like the crocus emerging after a freezing winter.
Even today, the crocus is used in many contexts to symbolically denote spring and new beginnings. For instance, it was used as the emblem of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World cup in Poland to symbolise the emergence of new talent.
In Isaiah 35, the crocus is mentioned in the context of a vision of renewal and hope. Verses 1-2 state,” The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus.” This imagery symbolises the arrival of new life and the promise of restoration, as the crocus blooms in the cold, barren earth, bringing joy and beauty to the desolate landscape.
The crocus, known for its resilience and vibrant colours, serves as a powerful metaphor for God’s presence and the transformative power of His grace in our lives. Who would have thought that such a common and simple flower could be so precious and teach us so much about hope?