Let's try to figure out what is the meaning behind the expression "thorny path". What does this phrase mean? In what cases should it be used? And where does it take its roots from? After all, only in this way can one fully and unconditionally realize its essence.
Thorny path: meaning
Let's start with the fact that this is a very ancient phrase that came to us from the hot lands of the East. At the same time, its value has remained unchanged over the past two thousand years. As for its essence, the expression "thorny path" means a difficult fate, full of all kinds of obstacles.
Often a similar expression is applied to those people who are "lucky" to experience the brunt of rock. Let us give an example: “His path was initially thorny: when he was seven, his father abandoned him and his mother. Less than a year later, my grandfather, the only breadwinner in the family, fell seriously ill. And so, at eight, little Misha went to work for the first time in the local editorial office - delivering ruble newspapers in the evenings.”
Where did this expression come from?
In fact, the "thorny path" is an image transferred from the real world. And to be more precise, it is a literal comparison of the fate of a person with a road overgrown with thorns. Therefore, for a better understanding of this phenomenon, let's talk a little about what the said plant is.
So, blackthorn is a thorny bush that grows in the desert lands of the East. He gained his fame thanks to massive spikes that can easily tear the skin of a person. Therefore, a thorny path is a road along which thorny plants grow.
As for the expression itself, over the years people have simply transferred the image of the prickly thicket into their conversation, turning it into a colorful metaphor. They compared the difficulty of going through a thorny path with how difficult it is sometimes to break through life's troubles. After all, as thorns injure the body, so the attacks of fate cut into the soul with pain.
Parallel with the crown of thorns
The expression "thorny path" is very often used by Christians. This is because they associate it with the life of Jesus Christ. In particular, with his last journey to Calvary, where he was crucified. The thing is that a crown of thorns was put on the head of the Savior, symbolizing, according to the Romans, a fake crown of the “self-proclaimed” God.
Naturally, after the resurrection of Christ, the crown of thorns acquired a different meaning. It has become a symbol of suffering. The same thing happened with the expression "thorny path." So, for Christians it is nowsymbolizes the series of trials that they must pass in order to get to heaven.
When is it acceptable to use this expression
Initially, the phrase "thorny path" meant only the hard fate of a person. But over the years, more and more people began to use it as a synonym for some kind of hardening of the spirit. For example, if a person steadfastly overcame all his troubles in life, then this ultimately made him stronger and allowed him to succeed.
Therefore, it is best to use this phrase in cases where you need to indicate the fortitude of a certain personality, emphasize the complexity of fate and what it can lead to. Example: “The path of Stephen Hawking to the heights of the scientific world was very thorny. And yet, deprived of the ability to move and speak normally, he still managed to tell everyone how big our universe can be.”
Similar sayings and metaphors
It is curious that in Russian there are many similar expressions and metaphors. Sometimes one gets the impression that the Russian people, like no other, understands the complexity and versatility of life. But what is even more fascinating is the fact that we never give up and turn all difficulties into weapons that make us stronger.
And here are some examples that confirm all of the above:
- "Through hardships to the stars." This expression means that for the sake of your dream you will have to go through the most prickly "thickets" of life.
- "Drinkbowl to the bottom "(pass all the tests to the end). As in the case of the crown of thorns, this expression is extremely important for Christians, as it is taken from the Bible.
- "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger." This aphorism best of all describes the essence of all the previous ones. After all, it contains the greatest secret of life: there are no simple destinies, there are only those who cannot bear their severity.
