What is the symbolism of palm branches?
The palm frond (from the leaves of the Aracaceae) was a symbol of triumph in Roman times, bestowed upon the winners of military or athletic contests. They were the original pom-poms, or if you prefer, those giant foam fingers at football games. Therefore, when the people of Jerusalem greet Jesus with palm branches (Matthew 21, e.g.), they aren’t just grabbing what is ready-to-hand to express their jubilation. The palms symbolize victory, a fitting tribute for the return of a triumphant king. There are multiple levels of irony in this scene: the one they greet is a not a king in a chariot, but a humble man riding on a donkey; he comes not with military might, but to establish a reign of peace; his “battle” is ahead of him, and it will seem to end in tragic and crushing defeat; the very crowds who are now crying “hosanna” (“save us”) will soon be shouting “crucify him!” For the early Christians who suffered under Roman persecution, the symbol of the palm branch took on new significance a
