passionflower

the name 'passionflower' is a direct calque, or loan translation, from post-classical latin 'flos passionis', meaning 'flower of the passion'. this nomenclature was bestowed by spanish christian missionaries in south america during the 16th century. they perceived symbolic elements within the complex structure of the flower—such as the radial filaments representing the crown of thorns, the three stigmas for the nails, and the five anthers for the wounds—as representing instruments or aspects of the passion (the suffering and crucifixion) of jesus christ. thus, the modern english compound word literally and historically signifies 'the flower of the passion', its botanical identity forever linked to this specific religious interpretation.

Structure: passion (suffering) + flower (blossom) passion (from latin 'passio', meaning suffering, enduring; a noun-forming suffix indicating state or condition) + flower (from old english 'flōr', meaning blossom, the reproductive structure of a plant; a noun)