Standing Alone #7
by Bruce Bley
Title
Standing Alone #7
Artist
Bruce Bley
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
This photograph of a yellow water lily or lotus was taken while visiting a small lake near my home this past summer.
The roots of lotus are planted in the soil of the pond or river bottom, while the leaves float on top of the water surface or are held well above it. The flowers are usually found on thick stems rising several centimeters above the leaves. The plant normally grows up to a height of about 150 cm and a horizontal spread of up to 3 meters, but some unverified reports place the height as high as over 5 meters. The leaves may be as large as 60 cm in diameter, while the showy flowers can be up to 20 cm in diameter.
An individual lotus can live for over a thousand years and has the rare ability to revive into activity after stasis. In 1994, a seed from a sacred lotus, dated at roughly 1,300 years old was successfully germinated.
From ancient times the lotus has been a divine symbol in Asian traditions representing the virtues of sexual purity and non-attachment.
Hindus revere it with the divinities Vishnu and Lakshmi often portrayed on a pink lotus in iconography. In the representation of Vishnu as Padmanabha (Lotus navel), a lotus issues from his navel with Brahma on it. Goddess Sarasvati is portrayed on a white-colored lotus.
Often used as an example of divine beauty, Vishnu is often described as the 'Lotus-Eyed One'. Its unfolding petals suggest the expansion of the soul. The growth of its pure beauty from the mud of its origin holds a benign spiritual promise. In Hindu iconography, other deities, like Ganga and Ganesha are often depicted with lotus flowers as their seats.
I hope you have enjoyed this photograph. You can see more of my work on my homepage in the various galleries I have created. Thank you for visiting and please come back.
Uploaded
December 3rd, 2017
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Viewed 590 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/23/2024 at 5:49 PM
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Comments (34)
HH Photography of Florida
Gorgeous close-up of this beautiful Lotus blossom. A lovely floral, Bruce. l/tw/g+
Bruce Bley
Robert, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "Your Very Best Photography". I appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Oiyee, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "A Sense of Serenity. I sincerely appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Martin, I am grateful for the feature in the group "Flower Mania". I appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Maria, I want to thank you for the feature in the group "Beautiful Flowers Group". I sincerely appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Johanna, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "Photography and Nature 101". I appreciate the honor.
Bruce Bley
Rebecca, I am grateful for the feature in the group "Pin Me - Daily". Thank you so much for the honor.
Bruce Bley
Rebecca, Thank you so much for the feature in the group "Contemporary". I sincerely appreciate it.
Robyn King
Congratulations your beautiful work is being featured in The World We See Group :-)
Bruce Bley replied:
Thank you so much for the feature in the group "The World We See", Robyn. I appreciate it.
Frank J Casella
CONGRATULATIONS!! Your beautiful artwork has been Featured by the - ILLINOIS ART PHOTOGRAPHY - group on Fine Art America / PIXELS! Thank you for sharing it !! http://tinyurl.com/IllinoisArtPhoto
Bruce Bley replied:
Frank, I want to thank you for the feature in the group ILLINOIS ART PHOTOGRAPHY". I sincerely appreciate it.
Bruce Bley
Romuald, I sincerely appreciate the feature in the group "Arts Fantastic World". Thank you so much. .
Bruce Bley
Dora, I am grateful for the feature in the group "Visions Of Spring - Glances Of Summer". Thank you for the honor.
Bruce Bley
David, I want to thank you for the feature in the group "Midwest America Photography". I truly appreciate it.