crown of thorns
Savior's painful circlet
A crown of thorns is a wreath of thorny branches, most famously the one placed on Jesus Christ's head before crucifixion as a form of mockery and torture.
The phrase extends to any source of prolonged suffering or burden: His addiction became a crown of thorns for the whole family.
Crown of thorns also names a spiny starfish that devastates coral reefs, and a thorny ornamental plant with red flowers.
Execution by cross
- Jesus ChristChristianity's central deity
- PassionPowerful consuming emotion
- GolgothaBiblical execution hilltop
- CalvaryBiblical execution mount
Pontius Pilate · Gospels · Easter · mockery · Roman soldiers · scourging · suffering servant · Stations of the Cross
Suffering for conviction
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
burden · trial · tribulation · endurance · humiliation · mockery · kingship · irony
Moist and flavorful
- MadagascarAfrican island republic
- houseplantIndoor ornamental greenery
- floweringProducing reproductive structures
- drought-tolerantAble to withstand aridity
perennial · ornamental · tropical · evergreen · garden · horticulture · potted
Sharp metal protrusions
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- pointedTapering to a tip
- barbedHaving sharp projections
woven · plaited · branches · wounds · blood · painful · scratching · prickly
Calcium carbonate marine ecosystem
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- PacificEarth's vastest ocean
- Indian OceanSea south of Asia
- Great Barrier ReefVast coral formation near Australia
marine predator · bleaching · infestation · population control · diving · echinoderms · nocturnal · regeneration
crucifixion
Execution by cross
- Jesus ChristChristianity's central deity
- PassionPowerful consuming emotion
- GolgothaBiblical execution hilltop
Calvary · Pontius Pilate · Gospels · Easter · mockery · Roman soldiers · scourging · suffering servant · Stations of the Cross · relic
martyrdom
Suffering for conviction
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
penance · burden · trial · tribulation · endurance · humiliation · mockery · kingship · irony · devotion
succulent
Moist and flavorful
- MadagascarAfrican island republic
- houseplantIndoor ornamental greenery
- floweringProducing reproductive structures
drought-tolerant · perennial · ornamental · tropical · evergreen · garden · horticulture · potted
spikes
Sharp metal protrusions
barbed · woven · plaited · branches · wounds · blood · painful · scratching · prickly · jagged
coral reef
Calcium carbonate marine ecosystem
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- PacificEarth's vastest ocean
- Indian OceanSea south of Asia
Great Barrier Reef · marine predator · bleaching · infestation · population control · diving · echinoderms · nocturnal · regeneration · coral polyps
- Biblical ObjectsArk of the Covenant, Ten Commandments, stone tablets, manna, burning bush
- Catholic Symbolscrucifix, fish symbol, Alpha Omega, halo, Madonna
- Christ imagerycrucifixion, nativity, Last Supper, Good Shepherd, INRI
- GospelsJesus, gospels, Jesus Christ, apostles, Gospel of Mark
- PassionGood Friday, Gethsemane, scourging, nails, INRI
- headwearhat, cap, helmet, hood, beanie
crown of thornslaurel wreath
Woven leaves honoring champions
victor's crown · crown of glory · laurel · golden crown · royal crown
crown of thornsblessing
Prayer seeking divine favor
bed of roses · gift · boon · windfall · charmed life
crown of thornscrown of life
Promised blessing for perseverance
thorn, thorny, coronation, crowned, crowning, crowns, thorns, crown, corona