You Find it in the Sand
You Find it in the Sand, Legend of the Sand Dollar
Sand dollars are actually burrowing sea urchins. When they wash up on the beach and are bleached by the sun, they look like a large silver coin, hence the moniker.
A legend about these creatures says they represent the story of Christ:
On the top of the shell is a symbol that looks like a star, a reminder of the Star of Bethlehem that led wise men to the Christ Child. Around the star is an outline of an Easter lily, a reminder of the Lord’s resurrection.
There are five holes in a sand dollar – four around the ends of the star and one in the center. According to the religious legend, the four holes represent the four wounds of Christ when his hands and feet were nailed to the cross. The center hole represents the wound made from a soldier’s spear.
When you turn over the sand dollar, you see the outline of a poinsettia, the Christmas flower. And if you break open a sand dollar, five dove-shaped pieces emerge. Doves are often used in art and literature as a symbol of peace and goodwill.
Now you know the legend of the sand dollar, a story of hope and peace. See if you can find one on your next visit to Alabama beaches.
You Find it in the Sand
27 Replies to “You Find it in the Sand”
That was interesting Sandra – I did not know the legend of the sand dollar.
Regarding the design and close-up, I believe the right word to be used here is exquisite. There is so much intricate and extensive aesthetics in the natural world that far too often remains unknown or not appreciated. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Sandra, through an otherwise “common” sand dollar. There’s a lot to unwrap here. (I left a song for you in my reply.)
That song says it all RJ, it sums up my journey of life and so many others. I have found my freedom now and yet still to this day He lifts me up when I need Him. Thank you for sharing this with me. 🙂
I love finding sand dollars!
Me to Marland, they are just so special and different from all the other shells.
Wow, I never knew that legend before. Thank you for sharing!
You are very welcome Beth, yes I heard that years ago and think of it every time I find one.
I’ll keep my eyes open – we’ll be down there in April.
What a beautiful legend, Sandra. I’d never heard it before.
Yes, I hate to break open this small one I found to see what is inside. Maybe the next one.
Maybe you will find a chipped one that you can break open.
Wow! How beautiful!
Thank you very much 😊, they are really cool looking up close.
interesting and beautiful!
Thank you 🙂
💙💙💙🌊🙏
Thank you very much Francine 😊
Sandra: In the winter of 1966/67 my family waded out to a sand bar off the Florida Gulf coast and collected a pail full of these live which we had to soak in bleach water to remove the grayish green whiskers. We would then gift them to friends & relative along with a “Legend of the Sand Dollar” post card 😎 ~Willy
How wonderful, I have heard they get much bigger then these I have found as well.😊
I had several ½” to ¾” , most averaged 6″ and were in pristine condition whilst had not be washed up on shore and battered by the surf 😉
Beautiful!
Thank you Gerry 😊
Interesting
They are rare to find here. 😊
I have one. I got it in a kind of garage sell. I did not know what is the meaning.
It is hard to find a whole one sometimes. They break real easy.