Epiphany in Georgia.
Epiphany is one of the most important holidays of the New Testament, one of the twelve royal church holidays, which the Orthodox celebrate on January 19. On this day, in the Jordan River, John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ.
According to tradition in Georgia, the godchild goes to visit the godparents and congratulates them on the holiday. As a sign of gratitude, godchildren often bring symbolic gifts to their godparents, including flowers. Like all other holidays, Epiphany also has its own, symbolic meaning of flowers.
What flowers should we gift on this day?
In general, white color is associated with purity, innocence and innocence for everyone, therefore, it is logical that the flowers chosen for the Epiphany bouquets, and the icon decorations are always white.
The first flower to consider is the white lily, which is often associated with purity and innocence. In the Bible, the lily is often used as a metaphor for rebirth and purity. Because this flower blooms in the spring, it is often a symbol of new beginnings and eternal Christianity, which is directly implied by the Epiphany.
The next flower that is often used in baptism bouquets and church decorations is gypsophila. As we read in the Bible, delicate gypsophila is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, purity and freedom. The act of baptism gives a person freedom from old sins and adds purity to them for a new beginning.
Although chrysanthemums are not specifically mentioned in the Bible, white chrysanthemums are often associated with righteousness, eternal life, and faithfulness in many cultures, including many Orthodox peoples. Epiphany Day also marks this, when an adult or a child finally becomes a Christian, which means that they promise eternal loyalty and service to Jesus Christ.
What to gift besides flowers?
In addition to flowers, a gift basket with chocolates, tea, coffee and traditional sweets is an ideal gift for Epiphany. A gift basket with food or fragrances is always a good choice to show your care and appreciation to your loved ones. Along with that, the chocolates in the basket can also be given a symbolic load if they are wrapped in white, blue or gold, because these three colors are most often associated with the Epiphany.
Another tradition of the feast of Epiphany is the blessing of water twice a year, the day before and directly on the day of this holiday. There are several opinions regarding this water. Orthodox believers believe that water blessed on this day, can stay pure for the whole year. It can protect the house from evil forces and get a bountiful harvest after watering the gardens and vineyards. This tradition also applies to flowers, if you put the flowers gifted at the Epiphany in this holy water they will live longer than usual.
Whether it's gift-giving, beautiful decorations, or simple acts of kindness, Epiphany invites us to share with one another the joy, respect, and hope that this holiday is associated with.
