This winter all our lovely rains have resulted in a profusion of wildflowers. The attached picture is from my front yard. The flowers with their rare beauty are bringing me so much pleasure! While spending time enjoying all the flowers and pulling weeds, I was listening and watching all the pollinators. It was only natural for me to think about the sacred nature of flowers. Life as we know it on planet earth is based on the ability of plants to convert sunshine into chlorophyll. Our civilization and agricultural practices depend on flowers and their codependent pollinators. The first reason flowering plants are sacred is because they provide our primary sources of food, fiber and medicine. Most of the plant material we consume is from flowering plants including fruits, veggies and grains. Here in the southwest cotton is a famous fiber plant. And, the medicinal properties (and corresponding devastation) are well known for the opium poppy.
The second reason I find flowering plants sacred is the co-evolution of flowers and pollinators. Of course, there have not always been flowering plants, it is thought they first evolved about 130 million years ago. Even in our current times, there are still many examples of non-flowering plants. Think of the spore producers, such as ferns. Flowering plants make an extraordinary investment in time and energy producing flowers. The flowers are for sexual reproduction and seed formation. Really, plants have the most exotic sexual habits and often require participation of pollinators. This year’s profuse blooms are attracting pollinators of all sorts, and the desert is singing with their activities. Thank goodness! Life as we know it would not exist without flowers!
Beyond their direct utilitarian uses, flowering plants are the basis for our spiritual, artistic and literary endeavors. The third reason flowers are scared is the powerful metaphors they represent in our lives. Whether you are consciously thinking about it or not, flowers are present at most of our major life transitions. The rose alone is used to represent romance, love, beauty, courage, friendship, desire, appreciation, sincerity, appreciation and innocence. In Buddhism the eastern lotus flower speaks of purity and spiritual growth. Since it is Easter season, think of the white lily with its association with the Virgin. For the non-secular, think of sunflowers “with their uncanny ability to lock you into its stare”. Shakespeare used a myriad of flowers as metaphors. Culturally, the Dutch are famous for tulips.
In some creation myths flowers are not metaphors, but the very source of creation. For example, in ancient Egypt the day blooming blue lotus appeared at the beginning of creation. Brahma the Hindu god of creation emerges from an eastern lotus flower. Flowers are a powerful source of life and have the power of transformation. You only need to step outside to see the amazing colors and profusion of flowers. The flowers are all dressed up and not going anywhere, because they are the party. Find a moment and enjoy the gifts of sacred flowers.
Author note: I referenced material from internet sources and the book: Seven Flowers and How They Shaped the World by Jennifer Potter.
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