The first use of the decoration in a Corinthian column was in the Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Arcadia, ca. 450–420 BCE.
The original use in the temple designed for Apollo in Corinth reveals a further connection. The name Apollo originally meant 'to destroy'. The following quote shows Apollo means destroyer as 'Abaddon' also means 'destroyer'
They had a king over them, which is the messenger of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue has his name Apollyon. (Rev 9:11).Apollo came also to be thought of as 'a healer'
Acanthus Leaves Is a medicinal plant associated with Apollo and his healing abilities. The curling leaves of the acanthus became the main element of the Corinthian capital. It can be seen today not only in Greece and Rome on Temples, but on our own U.S. Post Offices, libraries and any number of Greek Revival buildings of the nineteenth century.
www.solnyc.com/But to the Pagan Romans Apollo meant 'light' and then he was transformed into a sun deity by the Celts.
The destroying-healing Apollo was first and naturally associated with the the acanthus leaf, and then the acanthus leaf took on that pagan meaning, and came itself to mean 'regeneration'
Although many variants of the style are known, the principal component was the acanthus leaf, symbol of death and rebirth.... Being an herbaceous plant, the acanthus is an ideal symbol of regeneration.
From its use in Roman design the thoroughly pagan symbol was imported as a symbol into state run Christianity when it inherited the Roman world as the Byzantine style continued the use of the formerly pagan design.
The symbolism and meaning associated with the Acanthus is that of enduring life, and the plant is traditionally displayed at funerary celebrations.
In Christianity the thorny leaves represent pain, sin and punishment. Acanthus symbolizes immortality in Mediterranean countries.
"In Greece 2 BC the acanthus was a clear reference to life emerging from a grave. It was not initially a reference to resurrection in Christian sense, but in a sense that life is cyclical."
Who typed this out, one of your grand-kids? Bloody hell! 
