Palms and Christianity

Palms are historically a symbol of victory and peace and were plentiful in Jerusalem during the lifetime of Jesus. Palms have a rich history. It was a customary practice in the ancient world to welcome home a king by placing palm branches on the ground for him to walk or ride on. Palms have also been recognized as a symbol of peace, victory, and eternal life.

Palms are in the Bible

Palms are referenced in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. The palm tree was used as an important symbol during holy assemblies. In Leviticus, the Israelites celebrated the feast of Tabernacles honoring the freedom they received from the hands of the Egyptians. "On the first day, you shall gather foliage from majestic trees, branches of palms..." (Lev 23:40)

Again, for the feast of Tabernacles, the gathering of palms is referenced in Nehemiah: "Go out into the hill country and bring in branches of olive trees, oleanders, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees, to make booths." (Nem 8:15)

King Solomon, understanding the significance of palms, had images carved into the walls of the temple. "The walls on all sides of both the inner and the outer rooms had carved figures of cherubim, palm trees and open flowers." (1 King 6:29)

When Simon Maccabees liberated the citadel from the enemies of Israel, "... the Jews entered the citadel with shouts of jubilation, waving of palm branches.... because a great enemy of Israel had been destroyed." (1 Mac 13:51)

Palms and Christianity

The Gospel of John recounts how he was welcomed into the city by a crowd waving palming branches: "When the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, (even) the king of Israel'" (12:12-13).

The palm branch represents victory and peace during the Lenten journey and frequently serves two liturgical functions in more than one physical form. The palm is a prominent holy object that helps Catholics prepare for the death and resurrection of our Savior.

In the beginnings of Christianity, the palm represented the victory of martyrs - the victory of the spirit over the flesh. In the fourth Century AD, coins issued under the Emperor Constantine continued to display the palm leaves of victory. In 1688 the Church decided that when they found the palm image carved on tombs discovered in the Roman catacombs, it was to be understood that a martyr had been buried there.

Today we use palm leaves on Palm Sunday to commemorate Christ's sacrifice: we remember His death on the cross and continually praise Him for our salvation. And, we anticipate His Resurrection a week later at Easter: His victory over death holds out to us the hope of eternal life.

But it's not always a palm branch that is used in these Lenten liturgies. In some regions, Catholics use olive branches in their Palm Sunday processions as a sign of peace, victory, and reconciliation during the last Sunday of Lent, marking the beginning of Holy Week. But the green branches of the palm tree are the traditional props Catholics wave on Palm Sunday to commemorate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and our faith as we welcome him into our lives as our Messiah.