crowns of thorns
Painful royal mockeries
Crowns of thorns is the plural of crown of thorns, which refers most famously to the wreath of thorny branches placed on Jesus's head before his crucifixion—a symbol of mockery that became an emblem of suffering and martyrdom.
The term extends to any painful burden or source of torment: His addiction became a crown of thorns for the whole family.
A crown-of-thorns starfish is a large, spiny sea star that damages coral reefs.
- Jesus ChristChristianity's central deity
- martyrdomSuffering for conviction
- crucifixionExecution by cross
- burdenOppressive weight or duty
- relicsPreserved items from antiquity
hardship · suffering · sacrifice · starfish · invasive species · holy relics · redemption · spines · Golgotha · passion · salvation · perseverance · atonement · trials · sacred art · sacred imagery · succulents · coral reef
crowns of thornsjeweled crowns
Gemstone-studded royal headgear
diamond tiaras · laurel wreaths · victory wreaths · coronets
crown, crowns, crowned, crowning, thorn, thorns, thorny, thorniness, thornless