The water lily is perhaps the most
poetic flower that exists and is known as Nymphaea; an aquatic plant in the
family Nymphaeaceae. They are opulent with iridescent colors and dream their
hours away in their watery gardens. Some water lilies open under reflected
sunlight and sink beneath the water at twilight, while other species such as
the Egyptian white water lily seek moonlight. Should you be so fortunate as to
view one in perfect bloom it will intoxicate you with its bewitching beauty and
leave an indelible watery impression of the other world upon you.
The water lily was inspired by the nymphs
of Greek and Latin mythology and the lotus often appears in Hindu and Buddhist
stories as well. Terra-cotta plaques from the 12th century depict
the goddess Asherah holding two lotus blossoms. Ivory panels from. Long ago
show the god Horus seated on a lotus blossom. The sacredness of the flower is
illustrated by its frequent reference to Buddha. When Buddha walked the earth
he left lotuses in his trail instead of footprints. The
phrase "Om mani padme hum," which used in meditation means "the
jewel in the lotus" refers to the Buddha or to the mystical union of male
and female energies.
The water lily studies that
I am presenting in this series were captured in 2014 at the: UC Botanical
Garden, San Francisco Botanical Garden, The Pool of Enchantment outside of the
De Young Museum and The Conservatory of Flowers, SF.
White lotus
This symbolizes Bodhi, the state
of total mental purity and spiritual perfection, and the pacification of our
nature. It generally has eight petals corresponding to the Noble Eightfold Path
of the Good Law. It is the lotus found at the heart of the Garbhadhatu Mandala, being the womb or
embryo of the world. It is characteristic of the esoteric sects, and the lotus
of the Buddhas.
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/b_lotus.htm
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