Thorns Collection (#13)

Floss-silk (Chorisia speciosa) flower C014 / 2565
Floss-silk tree (Chorisia speciosa) trunk. This plant is native to South America

White-fronted bee-eaters C014 / 4959
White-fronted bee-eaters (Merops bullockoides) perched in a thorn bush. Photographed in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Gauteng Province, South Africa

Speckled mousebird C014 / 4987
Speckled mousebird (Colius striatus) perched in a thorn bush. Photographed in Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Stonechat C014 / 5000
Stonechat. Female stonechat (Saxicola sp.) in a thorn bush. Photographed in Imfolozi Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Rose thorns C015 / 7089
Rose thorns. Close-up of thorns on the stems of a rose (Rosa sp.) plant

Euphorbia venenata. Photographed in South Africa

Euphorbia virosa
Young Gifboom (Euphorbia virosa), also known as Poison Tree. Photographed in South Africa

Euphorbia mammillaris
Corn Cob Euphorbia (Euphorbia mammillaris), a native succulent. Photographed in South Africa

Pincushion Spurge (Euphorbia pulvinata), a native succulent. Photographed in South Africa

Gorse (Ulex parviflorus) bush in flower C016 / 3370
Gorse (Ulex parviflorus) bush in flower. Artwork of a gorse bush, with a close-up showing flowers on its thorny branch

Echinophora spinosa in flower, artwork C016 / 3332
Echinophora spinosa in flower, artwork

Thorny broom (Calycotome spinosa) flowers C016 / 3306
Thorny broom (Calycotome spinosa) flowers, artwork

Powdery mildew, SEM
Powdery mildew. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the parasitic powdery mildew Erysiphe sp. on the stalk of a plant

Sheeps wool caught on brambles

VAN DYCK, Sir Anthony (1599-1641). The Crowning with Thorns. 1618. Van Dyck offered this as a gift to Rubens. Variation of the painting in the Museum of Berlin, inspired in a Ecce-Homo by Titian

SEDANO, Alonso de (145(1st century-1530). Christ Crowned with Thorns. SPAIN. Burgos. Cathedral of St. Mary. Gothic art. Oil on wood

FRUEAUF, Rueland, called the Elder (1445-1507). Christ with the Crown of Thorns. Ecce homo. Austrian school

Euphorbia splendens. Manuscript document: Sketches of plants made at the Mauritius to accompany the report of May 1829 Date: 1829

Fish River Canyon, Namibia
Africa, Namibia, Fish River Canyon National Park, Cactus grows on rocky slopes above Fish River Canyon

Woolly thistle (Cirsium eriophorum) flowerbud, chalk grassland meadow, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Patriotic Italian postcard featuring an athletic barely-clad man before a flaming altar and a crown of thorns, definitely stressing the importance of some form of personal sacrifice being beneficial

Alexander Cruden
ALEXANDER CRUDEN Churchman, compiler of the classic Bible Concordance : ornamented with an open Bible, crown of thorns, hammer and nails etc. Date: 1701 - 1770

Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) close-up of stem with thorns, Bacton, Suffolk, England, june

Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) adult, sitting in acacia tree, Ethiopia

Wound sites, 15th century artwork
Wound sites. 15th century anatomical diagram illustrating the various injuries and their common sites. The diagram, known as a wound man, is from Hieronymus Brunschwigs Book of Cirurgia (Strassburg)

Stigmata. Conceptual computer artwork of a person suffering from stigmata. This supposed affliction is believed by Christians to spontaneously occur

Flask-shaped pitcher plant (Nepenthes ampullaria). This is a carnivorous plant, using scent, nectar and colour to attract insects (seen inside the pitchers)

Fanged pitcher plant (Nepenthes bicalcarata). This is a carnivorous plant, using scent, nectar and colour to attract insects

Black-spined aloe (Aloe melanacantha) plant in a pot

Spurge (Euphorbia acanthothamnos)
Greek spiny spurge (Euphorbia acanthothamnos) flowers. Photographed on the Mani peninsula, Greece

Superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus) perching on a thorny branch. Superb starlings are very common throughout East Africa

Spiny broom (Calicotome villosa) in flower. Photographed in Andalucia, Spain

Manzanillo (Hippomane mancinella). This plant has poisonous apple-like fruit (one at centre). Photographed in the Galapagos Islands

Sloes (Prunus spinosa)
Sloes or Blackthorn berries (Prunus spinosa) growing in Romania. Photographed in autumn

Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) crawling over a sandy area between reefs. This starfish grows up to 40 centimetres in diameter and has 12-19 arms

Euphorbia acanthothamnos
Greek spiny spurge (Euphorbia acanthothamnos). Photographed in Crete

Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus)
Blackberries. These are the fruits of the blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) plant, a type of bramble. The black fruit are ripe whilst the red and green ones are not

Cretan vetch flowers (Vicia cretica)
Cretan vetch flowers (Vicia cretica, pink) growing amongst Greek spiny spurge (Euphorbia acanthothamnos). Photographed in Crete

Carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris) bud
Carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris) flower bud

Anchor plant (Colletia paradoxa)
Flowers and spiny foliage of Anchor plant (Colletia paradoxa), also known as Crucifixion Thorn

Devils Club cactus (Gousonia invicta)
Spines of Devils Club cactus (Gousonia invicta). Photographed in Baja California, Mexico

Rose aphids (Macrosiphum rosae) infesting a rose stem (Rosa sp.). An aphid is an insect that feeds on plant sap and it is a serious pest

Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii)
Fishhook Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii) in fruit. Photographed in Arizona, USA

Lophocereus schottii var Monstrosus
Totem Pole cactus (Lophocereus schottii var Monstrosus). Photographed in Arizona, USA

Opuntia macrocentra
Spines and foliage of Long-spined Prickly pear (Opuntia macrocentra)

Echinocereus nicholii
Foliage and spines of Golden Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus nicholii). Photographed in Arizona, USA

Rose stem, light micrograph
Rose stem. Light micrograph of a cross-section through the stem of a rose (Rosa sp.). The three triangular protrusions are thorns, which protect the plant from being eaten by animals

Golden barrel cacti (Echinocactus grusonii). A cactus is a plant that has tissues adapted to minimise water loss in the arid environment it inhabits

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"Embracing the Thorn: A Journey through Art, Nature, and Faith" In this captivating collection of images, we are reminded of the profound symbolism and significance that thorns hold in various aspects of our lives. From religious iconography to enchanting fairy tales, from dangerous encounters with wildlife to breathtaking landscapes, these diverse glimpses into the world invite us to reflect on their deeper meanings. We begin our exploration with Max Portrait's depiction of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns. This powerful image serves as a reminder of sacrifice and redemption, evoking emotions that have resonated throughout history. Similarly, Arthur Rackham's illustration from "Sleeping Beauty" transports us to a realm where beauty is guarded by an impenetrable wall – a metaphor for obstacles we must overcome on our own journeys. Moving beyond artistry, we encounter nature's intricate tapestry interwoven with thorny elements. The woolen masterpiece titled "The Unicorn is Killed and Brought to the Castle" showcases how even mythical creatures can fall prey to sharp spines amidst lush vegetation. Meanwhile, high above deHoop Vlei in South Africa lies a Boomslang snake hunting within a protective fortress formed by thorn bushes – reminding us that survival often demands adaptation. Our journey takes us next to La Sainte Chapelle in Paris where stained glass windows depict scenes from biblical narratives intertwined with motifs like roses entangled in prickly vines; here again, thorns symbolize both pain and divine love. Staying within the realm of faith-inspired artistry, St. Cecily immortalizes her devotion through delicate brushstrokes capturing her serene countenance framed by garlands adorned with tiny roses bearing hidden pricks.