Passion Fruit

The passion fruit has had a religious association as reflected by the name "passion" given to it by Catholic missionaries who thought that certain parts of the fruit bore some religious connections. These missionaries (who were joined by the Spanish Conquistadors in South America), saw a way of illustrating the Crucifixion: 

• The three stigmas were to reflect the three nails in Jesus's hands and feet.
• The threads of the passion flower were believed to be a symbol of the Crown of Thorns.
• The vine's tendrils were likened to the whips.
• The five anthers represented the five wounds.
• The ten petals and sepals regarded to resemble the Apostles (excluding Judas and Peter).

The flower of the passion fruit is considered as the national flower of Paraguay.