Amʹaranth
.Clement of Alexandria says—Amarantus flos, symʹbolum est immortalitaʹtis. The word is from the Greek amaranʹtos (everlasting). So called because its flowers never fade like other flowers, but retain to the last much of their deep blood-red colour.
“Immortal amarant—a flower which once
In Paradise, fast by the tree of life,
Began to bloom; but soon, for man’s offence,
To heaven removed, where first it grew, there grows
And flowers aloft, shading the found of life… .
With these, that never fade, the spirits elect
Bind their resplendent locks.”
