Unfading (262) (amarantinos from amárantos = unfading from a = without, + maraíno = to fade) literally means unfading as a flower but is used figuratively of that which is lasting, that which does not fade away or that which lose its pristine character.
Amarantinos does not refer to the quality of the heavenly inheritance as not fading away, but rather to the makeup of the crown itself as being of amaranths, unfading flowers whose unfading quality (and which can be revived easily by being moistened with water) was the symbol of perpetuity and immortality.
Kenneth Wuest makes the point that...
The crown given to victors in either athletics or war was made of oak or ivy leaves, the festal garlands of the marriage feast, of flowers. These would wither and fade. But the victor’s crown which the Lord Jesus will give His faithful under-shepherds will never wither or fade. What form this reward will take, is not stated. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)
Thayer writes that this adjective is...
composed of amaranth a flower, so called because it never withers or fades, and when plucked off revives if moistened with water; hence, it is a symbol of perpetuity and immortality (see Paradise Lost iii., 353ff)
The Columbia Encyclopedia notes that
The amaranth is from the genus Amaranthus includes several widely distributed species called amaranths that are characterized by a lasting red pigment in the stems and leaves. They have been a poetic symbol of immortality from the time of ancient Greece. (Columbia Encyclopedia)
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http://www.preceptaustin.org/1_peter_54-5.htm#unfading
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
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