Fontanini Buildings and Accessories
Flowers and Plants of Bethlehem
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Hyacinth- These magnificent flowers, actually a cluster of blue bell-shaped blooms on a short stem, grow wild in the fields and rocky hills of Palestine in early spring. Corn Poppy- This bright red wildflower is often seen in fields of grain, offering an eye-pleasing contrast to the green stalks of barley or wheat in summer. Iris- Irises prefer to grow near water, and are often seen at the edge of a pond or river. Their roots, prized for their delicate scent, were sometimes dried in linen closets. White Lily- White lilies grow abundantly in mountainous areas. In biblical times, the word “lily” may have been a common term for “flower.” Today it is a symbol of the Resurrection. Frankincense- This tree bearing star-shaped pink flowers was prized for the resin harvested from its bark. The rich resin was used for medicine, perfume, and incense that was burned daily in the Temple. Myrrh- Myrrh is extracted from the wood of a large bush. The milky resin turns dark red on exposure to air, and after hardening is sold as an ingredient for anointing oil and medicine. |
Three Piece Palm Tree Set
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Date palms grow all over the Holy Land, and have always been an important source of food in the region. Juicy and full of nutrients, dates are delicious to eat fresh and dried. A single date tree bears up to 600 pounds of fruit each year, and may bear fruit for over 100 years. Date palms grew near wells in the desert, signaling to travelers that food, water, and restful shade were available. The fronds and trunks of the date palm are strong and fibrous. The trunks were used as support beams in buildings and whole fronds were used for roofing and walls. The fibrous frond stalks were stripped and woven into ropes, baskets, and mats for everyday use. |