Tree Of Forgiveness

'The Tree of Forgiveness', by Edward Coley Burne-Jones

This painting illustrates a classical legend, Phyllis and Demaphoön. After the conquest of Troy, Demaphoön, the son of Theseus, stayed at the court of the King of Thrace. Phyllis, the king’s daughter, fell in love with the visitor. Demaphoön agreed to marry Phyllis but first returned to Attica to sort out his affairs. Demaphoön was away so long that Phyllis lost hope of his return and in a fit of anguish killed herself. The gods took pity on her and turned her into an almond tree. When Demaphoön eventually did return he was filled with remorse and embraced the almond tree. Immediately the tree blossomed and Phyllis emerged to forgive her lover.


I'm planting my own tree of forgiveness tomorrow and hope that it will flourish in the new year.

Because if it does I will too.