When Flowers Speak

   


     It took a while to weave them together. They were velvet red- pink buds. My mom cut them for me.I wove them into a beautiful crown for the Madonna statue at school. I was thrilled with the result. In the end, the crown was a wee bit big for Mary, settling around her brow, but she did look Divine.

     In both the East and West, flowers are able to visually express several emotions at once. A crown of roses on the Blessed Mother indicates purity, beauty and grace. http://www.catholictradition.org/Saints/signs4.htm. Garlands of roses in paintings hint of heavenly joy. The rosary, the Catholic prayer of devotion to Mary, is often symbolized by roses. Many cathedrals are adorned with stained glass windows of the mystical rose. The five petals of the rose are believed to recall the wounds of Christ. Other flowers associated with Mary include: the lily, iris and jasmine.

The Chatre Cathedral

     Pansies, from the french word pensee or thought, are often used to symbolize remembrance and meditation.  Pansy blooms look like human faces and bend forward, as in thought, when they grow larger. These flowers are very cold tolerant and can thrive and bloom  when temperatures drop to the mid 20s F. The triangular shape of the shape of the pansy has been linked to the Holy Trinity in Catholicism.https://theplantfarm.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/beneath-the-petals-fun-facts-about-pansies-and-violas/

     Eastern culture also uses flowers to capture emotions and spirit. In Buddhism the lotus symbolizes the Buddha and man's journey. The roots of the lotus are enmeshed in mud while the flowers reach upward to the sky unsullied. The leaves of the lotus have tiny microscopic bumps that physically help them release mud and debris. (The Cabaret of Plants, Richard Mabey, pages 10-12) The textured surface of the lotus leaf creates a hydrophobic surface and materials bead and roll off the lotus leaf. This is called the "Lotus Effect."

     Hinduism makes extensive use of flowers. The act of worship, puja, is sometimes defined as the way of flowers. Like Buddhism, Hinduism reveres the purity of the lotus blossom. The highest level of consciousness is symbolized by the thousand petaled lotus blossom of the head or crown chakra. Marigold is thought to be a love charm and is used in wedding decoration. Its strong aroma repels insects. Roses are used for both worship and medicine and are thought to increase the love of newlyweds.http://www.astroulagam.com.my/Lifestyle/articledetails/tabid/4238/articleId/1304/5-Flowers-that-are-important-to-Hindus-and-its-meaning
     In China and Japan, nature is a common art and decor theme. The lotus is a popular motif for its purity and ability to rise above. The lotus conveys the Buddhist virtues of  true self, eternity, purity and happiness. Chinese weddings feature peonies (spring and renewed life) and orchids (love and fertility).
     In Japan, the art of Ikebana (the way of flowers) began in the 6th century as an offering to the   deceased. Over time, monks began to use the creation of this art as a mindful meditation. Ikebana respects all stages of the flower and includes the container and space as elements. There are many schools of Ikenbana, but Ikenobo is the oldest one. The Shoko Shofutai centers on the inner beauty of the plant and often uses three levels of height representing heaven, earth and mankind.http://www.ikenobo.jp/english/about/style.html

An example of Ikebana arrangement

     With our reliance on technology, it is easy to forget our place in nature. Connecting with flowers is an easy way to remember our true selves. Flowers bypass the mind and speak directly to the heart.