crown of thorns (
http://definr.com/crown of thorns)
n 1: any affliction that causes great suffering; "that is his
cross to bear"; "he bears his afflictions like a crown
of thorns" [syn:
cross]
2: somewhat climbing bushy spurge of Madagascar having long
woody spiny stems with few leaves and flowers with scarlet
bracts [syn:
Christ thorn,
Christ plant, {Euphorbia
milii}]
3: a mock crown made of thorn branches that Roman soldiers
placed on Jesus before the Crucifixion