ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Plants in Christian iconography

Okay kiddo, you know how some people believe in God and they have pictures of Jesus and other holy people in their homes and in churches? Well, sometimes these pictures have plants in them to help tell stories and share important messages.

One plant that you might see in Christian iconography is the vine. This is because Jesus once said that he is the vine and people who believe in him are like branches that grow from the vine. This means that if we believe in Jesus, we will grow strong and good, just like branches on a healthy vine.

Another plant you might see is the lily. This flower is often used to represent Mary, the mother of Jesus. This is because the lily is a symbol of purity and Mary is considered to be a very pure and holy person.

In some pictures, you might also see palm branches. These were used to make a path for Jesus to walk on when he entered Jerusalem, and they are now a symbol of Jesus' triumph and victory over death.

Overall, plants are used in Christian iconography to help tell stories and share important messages. So the next time you see a picture with plants in it, think about what they might mean and what message they are trying to share.