The Snow Piercer - Snowdrop!

The Snowdrop - (Galanthus nivalis)
A bulb sometimes flowering in late winter, native to Europe and
W.
Asia, strap shaped leaves, bluish green with flowers on long
stalks,
solitary, drooping, white, three outer segments spreading, three
inner
smaller, with green spot at base of apical notch.

Associated with January, the Snowdrop is thought to have been
introduced
to Britain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The Snowdrop is
regarded
as the emblem of promise and consolation. Pushing it's way
through
the cold, hard soil of Winter, blooming whiter than the snow, the
Snowdrop heralds Spring's imminent arrival.

Wherever this little token grows, all are cheered by the sight of
those welcome little bells. The French know it as "snow piercer"
or " winter's wooer". In Italy, it is the "firstling" and in some
parts of Switzerland, the people call it the "blackbird flower"
because
with the appearance of these little blossoms, the blackbird
begins
to sing. In Germany, where it has long since been a sacred and
cherished
flower, it signifies youthful love, and simplicity. They call it
the "little snow bell". The Spaniards give it a similar name,
"little
white bell", whilst in Wales, it is known fondly as "baby bell".

To some, the Snowdrop is a sign of hope, friendship and
adversity.
One legend tells how, once, Hope was bent and weeping above the
white
snowy blanket of Earth, mourning the flowers and all the lovely
green
things buried beneath the cold, hard soil when, suddenly, where
her
tears dropped upon the frozen snow, it melted, and Snowdrops
graced
the ground revealed, the messengers of her comfort.

Another legend, of German origin, states: When, at the Creation,
all things were coloured, the heavens blue, the clouds gray, the
earth
brown, the flowers, all hues, the snow approached the Lord God
and
complained that for him no colour remained, and that therefore he
would be as little noticed as the wind. The Creator bade him go
to
the flowers and ask from them a colour. But no flower would share
with the snow her brilliant hue. Snow, giving up, was about to
turn
away, when the humble Snowdrop murmured, "If my white colour be
of
any use to you, you are very welcome to it." And since that time
the snow guards and keeps warm, the generous little flower.

Some too, see the Snowdrop as a symbol of purity, of innocence,
and
humility. The little flower is said to have appeared when Mary
took
little Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem, and was afterwards, held
sacred to all virgins. Burn's writes, "Love's first virgin
Snowdrop
kiss."