DAISIES: WARRIOR FLOWER.
The daisy is much more than a '60's fad. Whether coincidence or carefully selected as a noble symbol of order and peace in China for over 2500 years the unassuming daisy is a member of the revered Chrysanthemum family [genus pyrethrum].
Members of this innocent enough looking flower family are equipped with a powerful natural poison designed to ward off and kill creatures interested in eating it. It is believed that Chinese Buddhist monks introduced that "Mum" to Japan in AD 400 where the Japanese Imperials adapted it to their dynastic "Chrysanthemum Throne" and considered it to be a symbol of purity and long life.
The Mum was cultivated in China for over 2500 years as one of the four "noble flowers" and was not allowed in the gardens of the "lower classes." Some old Chinese armies wore the Mum emblem as an official badge. In China it also symbolized autumn, a life of ease and happiness. The Mum's strength resists killing frosts far longer than most other flowers.
The Mum has also been associated with the Buddha, the sun, and as a metaphor for an orderly unfolding perfection.
The word "chrysanthemum" derives from two Greek words meaning "golden flower." The Greek word "chrysos" is etymologically related to the abbreviation for "Christ" indicating the "golden" or "anointed one." This alludes to France's great Sun King and the golden "aura" in the name Marcus Aurelius. A chrysanthemum image is said to be an element of the Shroud of Turin.
Bearing the above history in mind it seems anyone, Christians, Buddhists and others attending this exhibit will have a much more profound emotional experience than I did when I viewed it in ignorance.
above left: LAMPS OF ENLIGHTENMENT, collage on canvas board, 8" x 10", 500+ hand cut pieces, peter gumaer ogden, copyright 2007 library of congress.
keywords for some images in this collage: TENZIN GYATSO - DALAI LAMA - SAKYONG MIPHAM - JOHN TARRANT - JACK KORNFIELD - JON KABAT ZINN - ROBERT THURMAN - SYLVIA BOORSTEIN - THICH NHAT HANH - ROSHI JOAN HALIFAX - PEMA CHODRON - SHARON SALZBERG - DEEPOK CHOPRA - NAROPA UNIVERSITY - TIBET - SHAMBHALA SUN - SNOW LION - GARRISON INSTITUTE - KARME CHOLING - TIBET HOUSE .
The daisy is much more than a '60's fad. Whether coincidence or carefully selected as a noble symbol of order and peace in China for over 2500 years the unassuming daisy is a member of the revered Chrysanthemum family [genus pyrethrum].
Members of this innocent enough looking flower family are equipped with a powerful natural poison designed to ward off and kill creatures interested in eating it. It is believed that Chinese Buddhist monks introduced that "Mum" to Japan in AD 400 where the Japanese Imperials adapted it to their dynastic "Chrysanthemum Throne" and considered it to be a symbol of purity and long life.
The Mum was cultivated in China for over 2500 years as one of the four "noble flowers" and was not allowed in the gardens of the "lower classes." Some old Chinese armies wore the Mum emblem as an official badge. In China it also symbolized autumn, a life of ease and happiness. The Mum's strength resists killing frosts far longer than most other flowers.
The Mum has also been associated with the Buddha, the sun, and as a metaphor for an orderly unfolding perfection.
The word "chrysanthemum" derives from two Greek words meaning "golden flower." The Greek word "chrysos" is etymologically related to the abbreviation for "Christ" indicating the "golden" or "anointed one." This alludes to France's great Sun King and the golden "aura" in the name Marcus Aurelius. A chrysanthemum image is said to be an element of the Shroud of Turin.
Bearing the above history in mind it seems anyone, Christians, Buddhists and others attending this exhibit will have a much more profound emotional experience than I did when I viewed it in ignorance.
above left: LAMPS OF ENLIGHTENMENT, collage on canvas board, 8" x 10", 500+ hand cut pieces, peter gumaer ogden, copyright 2007 library of congress.
keywords for some images in this collage: TENZIN GYATSO - DALAI LAMA - SAKYONG MIPHAM - JOHN TARRANT - JACK KORNFIELD - JON KABAT ZINN - ROBERT THURMAN - SYLVIA BOORSTEIN - THICH NHAT HANH - ROSHI JOAN HALIFAX - PEMA CHODRON - SHARON SALZBERG - DEEPOK CHOPRA - NAROPA UNIVERSITY - TIBET - SHAMBHALA SUN - SNOW LION - GARRISON INSTITUTE - KARME CHOLING - TIBET HOUSE .
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