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Organized Religions And Flowers We humans love and like flowers! They play a significant role in human life. The flowers make us happy and cheerful They have many uses in the society throughout the world! I have not seen anyone who does not like flowers! Flowers have special meanings to both human beings and also to Gods and Goddesses everywhere in this planet! Many of the organized religions are associated with flowers in one or the other way. Hinduism and Flowers The God and Goddesses of a particular community of people who practice Hinduism in this part of the world since ages adore blooms! Hinduism is the oldest religion prevailing in the world! Flowers play a big role in worshiping Hindu Gods and Goddesses. So, the love for flowers is not limited to us mere mortals. The importance and the significance of the flowers in Hinduism have been described many times in Hindu Scriptures! For example, flowers like Lotus, Joba, (hibiscus) Marigold and Datura are extensively used while worshiping important Hindu Gods and Goddesses throughout the world! A bunch of lotus flowers that rise above clay and water has different meanings to Hindu worshipers! Such bunches of lotus flowers grown lavishly not only elevates the beauty of a pond but also reminds the Hindus that just like the lotus flowers that rise above clay and water, they should elevate themselves above sins and the pleasures of the world. "One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus is untouched by water", says the Bhagavad-Gita. The highly revered Goddess of the Bengali Hindus, Durga Maa, also holds a lotus in one of her hands. The Ashtami Puja of Maa Durga involves offering the goddess 108 lotus flowers. The priest has to read 108 mantras in sequence while offering 108 lotus flowers one by one to Durga Maa( Mother Durga). There exists no room for making mistakes! The Goddess Saraswati and Lakshmi, are seen standing or sitting on the lotus. Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune and prosperity, is known as 'padmapriya', or 'one who like lotuses'. She is as beautiful as a lotus. One is not permitted to sniff the flowers that are to be offered to a deity. The fragrance is for the deities to enjoy. One must not pluck flowers, or even leaves, at night. Anjali is another act of worship where one is likely to require flowers. "Anjali essentially means offering something to a deity with devotion. Christianity and Flowers. We all know that the Christians believe that the flower white Madonna Lily symbolizes Purity! The tomb of Virgin Mary was reportedly filled with Lilies after her assumption into heaven. In other words, the association of the flower with Virgin Mary dates to early Christianity! The white petals represented her spotless body and glowing soul! The appearances of this mystic flower could be seen in the Christian devotional paintings. Both red and white roses are placed in one’s oratory or on one’s table through the month of May in Italy. These two flowers have been emblematic of the Virgin since very early times, and were dedicated to Venus before that. “When St. Dominic instituted the devotion of the Rosary, he recognized this symbolism and indicated the separate prayers as tiny Roses. May - the Month of May or Madonna's Month - was originally linked to Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and of spring. Further. The five petals of a rose flower are believed to represent Christ’s wounds - white was the color of purity and red, that of his sacrificial blood” ' Flowers And Buddhism For the Buddhists, the Lotus flower symbolizes Buddha. The flower “symbolizes the most exalted state of man - his head held high, pure and undefiled in the sun, his feet rooted in the world of experience” If we would visit Mahabodhi temple compex, Bodh Gaya, in Northern India, we would come across the place where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. The raised platform there is the part of the temple complex called the Jewel Promenade Shrine. “This structure marks the place where the Buddha is supposed to have paced to and fro in meditation. Legend has it that wherever Buddha stepped, a Lotus flower (a symbol of knowledge) sprang up and this is depicted through the 18 lotus flowers carved on the platform”           |
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Very interesting post LookLook. The world would be a very drab and dull place without the beauty of flowers. 
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As always ... a beautiful array of flowers and a lovely message about religious significance of colors. I always loved flowers in my life and wish I had a secret garden again. Thank you... LookLook Take care ...Brigitte
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10/30/2015 10:45 am |
Wonderful information. I'm not sure flowers represent anything significant in my belief system other than symbolizing love and respect as well as reminding us of our connection to the earth. Spiritwoman ^i^
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Thanks maggie for your comment. I appreciate
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Thank you so much for your nice comments,Cactus Annie. It is always nice to read from you here! Stay happy and cheerful
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Very interesting post LookLook. The world would be a very drab and dull place without the beauty of flowers.
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As always ... a beautiful array of flowers and a lovely message about religious significance of colors. I always loved flowers in my life and wish I had a secret garden again. Thank you... LookLook Take care ...Brigitte I feel really happy to read from you here on my blog page, Brigitte! Your comments remind me my days that I passed in Berlin, West Germany during 1976 where I came across colors almost on both sides of the roads. I was young then and as such felt presence of things that were feast for the eyes! Have a wonderful week, Brigitte.
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Wonderful information. I'm not sure flowers represent anything significant in my belief system other than symbolizing love and respect as well as reminding us of our connection to the earth. Delighted to read from you here on my blog page.. The flowers have the power to make people happy and cheerful. They can connect men and women all the times in their joys and also in sorrows... Have a happy day,
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Flowers are another wonderful example of nature's handiwork aren't they. The spiritual significance they have come to represent in religion was an interesting aside Look; appreciated. I hope this finds you well :- )
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mamannie , Nothing could be truer than what you have mentioned in your post left on my blog! Flowers make everyone happy, mamannie . Have a pleasant week.
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RubiSleepinBuuty ,hello, Thanks dear Rubi for leaving such decent words while appreciating the blog! Have a wonderful week.
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Flowers are another wonderful example of nature's handiwork aren't they. The spiritual significance they have come to represent in religion was an interesting aside Look; appreciated. I hope this finds you well :- )
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hello lenina, Thanks for stopping by my blog and also for leaving a comment there on! I appreciate. Most of my boyhood friends were Hindus. I used to enjoy Durga Puja with them every year. Those days have since gone but memories are still there to remember! Thanks for the compliment...lol. Wishing you all the best. Have a pleasant time!
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