Life Is A Metaphor!

Life Is A Metaphor!

By Bennut Nu

What Is A Metaphor ?

A metaphor is something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else. It is an emblem, a symbol.  Metaphors belong to the figure of speech family.  Metaphors are implied comparisons between two non-similar things.  It is an analogy between two objects or ideas described by using another word. 

The Lotus flower is seen as one of the most beautiful flowers in the world.

Because lotuses appear clean as they seem to grow out from the mud they are used as a metaphor for purity .  

But they are more than just symbols of beauty. 

They also represent religious symbols and spirituality. 

They have been used as sources of food and for medicinal purposes.

 Lotus Facts

There are five different types of plant species that are considered lotus.  Most lotuses grow in Asia and Africa.  Only one type of lotus grows in North and South America. 

There are three main species and there are two genera types of Lotus.  The scientific name of the lotus is Nelumbo  nucifera .  The Nelumbo genus is considered the true lotus and creates a circular seed pod .  It is not in the water lily family.  Plants in the Nymphaea genus are in the water lily family.  They include Nymphaea nouchali and Nymphaea caerulea genera.  

The lotus has had many  uses throughout history. It has been used as ornamental images in works of art. They are seen in the floral motifs of religious cultures past and present. The tubers and seeds of the lotus can be eaten and the tea used as a sweetener.  Lotus tea was known to have had a slightly narcotic affect and was used to treat medical ailments such as indigestion , to stop pain and for the stimulation of circulation. In ancient Greek mythology, Homer wrote in the Odyssey that Ulysses visited the land of the lotus eaters. 

The Lotus in Religion 

In  the Hindu religion and Buddhism the lotus is a metaphor for purity.  The ancient Egyptians associated the lotus with creation, rebirth, divinity and the sun.  Ancient Egyptian mythology, Hindu and Buddhist religions show the lotus flower emerging slowly from muddy ponds and swamps everyday.  In reality it takes three days to emerge.  It blooms in the morning until late afternoon.  It always looks clean in dirty ponds.

In ancient Egypt there were two types of lotus, the white and the blue.  In the later periods of ancient Egyptian history, the pink lotus was seen.  The lotus was a metaphor the unification of the lower and upper ancient Egyptian kingdoms.  The name for lotus in ancient Egypt is "Seseni".  Girls were named "Seseni".  The meaning of the name "Seseni" is “the most beautiful flower in the world.  It will grow anywhere even in a swamp .”  Girls named "Seseni" are thought to be very beautiful. 

In Buddhism the lotus is used as a metaphor for purity, spiritual awakening and faithfulness .  It is considered to be one of the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism.  Of the eight auspcious symbols, the blue lotus represents victory of the human spirit over wisdom , intelligence and knowledge.  The white lotus stands for an awakening, a state of mental purity and perfection .  The purple lotus is seen as mystical and a symbol of noble truths.  The pink lotus is the supreme lotus and one true lotus of the Buddha.  The red lotus relates to the heart and has to do with love and compassion .  The heart or center of the lotus flower is considered to be the purist part of the flower and represents a person with a good heart. 

Hinduism sees the lotus as symbolic of beauty, fertility, prosperity, spirituality and eternity.  In India it has been used as an election symbol.  Lotuses are meant to represent life, new beginnings, and possibilities of change into something beautiful.  The lotus is often depicted alongside Hindu gods and goddesses.  It is thought to be a metaphor for a person who does what is thought of as the right thing to do without any thought of self recognition. 

Color Associations

The color of lotuses have special meanings.  They are usually found only in the colors: red, white, blue, pink and purple.  It can also be found in yellow.  The white represents purity of mind and spirit.  The red stands for love and passion.  The blue means wisdom and knowledge.  Purple is the color of mysticism and esoteric qualities.  Pink is the color of the supreme lotus of all.  The yellow lotus has no special meaning. It is the only one that grows in North and South America.

A Lotus Is A Metaphor!

Today, lotus flower tattoos have become popular. People who have gone through hard times seem to find comfort in having lotus flower tattoos. They can be symbolic of having overcome hardships.   Like the lotus, people who have metaphorically speaking been at the bottom of the muddy pond, have risen above it, survived and blossomed displaying their inner, pure beauty. 

Resources

Audio Recordings

Deep Space “©June 30, 2012 by Bennut Nu with written permission from CSS Music. All Rights Reserved. No Unauthorized Duplication Permitted”.

Mid-Summer’s Dream “©June 30, 2012 by Bennut Nu with written permission from CSS Music.  All Rights Reserved. No Unauthorized Duplication Permitted”.

General Information

A History of Tattoos http://www.designboom.com/history/tattoo_history.html

Ancient Egypt – The Mythology http://www.egyptianmyths.net/lotus.htm

Buddhism for Kids http://www.gakkaionline.net/kids/stories.html

Classics Technology Center WORDS Latin to English & English to Latin Dictionary http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/showcase/wordsonline.html

Definition of Mythology http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/search?q=define+mythology&qpvt=what+is+mythology&FORM=DTPDIA

Gods and Goddesses of Ancient India http://www.crystalinks.com/indiadieties.html

Lotus Flower Meaning http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lotus-flower-meaning.html

Lotus Flower Symbol and Tattoos http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lotus-flowers-symbol-tattoos.html

Lotus Flower Symbolism http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lotus-flower-symbolism.html

Metaphor http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112392/metaphor.html

 Mythology -The Blue Lotus  http://bluelotuschai.com/mythology.htm

Odysseus – The Odyssey http://www.mythweb.com/odyssey/

The Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism – Religion Facts http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/symbols/eight_auspicious_symbols.htm

The Lotus Symbol in Buddhism – Religion Facts http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/symbols/lotus.htm

The Lotus Symbol in Hinduism – Religion Facts http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/symbols/lotus.htm

Word Central http://www.wordcentral.com/cgi-bin/student?book=Student&va=auspicious

 Images - (All Images Are Copyright and Royalty Free)

Egyptian Lotus Flower Image – Courtesy of Bing Images http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=copy+right+free+egyptian+lotus+flower+images&view=detail&id=B23B580A823CEB88C9CA6FFC58CF2D07AC0F6C42&first=31&FORM=IDFRIR

Egyptian Pyramids Image – Courtesy of Bing Images http://imgs.mi9.com/uploads/landscape/4243/pyramids-giza-egypt_1600x1200_74059.jpg

Facts about the Indian Lotus Flower http://www.ehow.com/facts_5004393_facts-indian-lotus-flower.html

Lotus Flower – White and Yellow http://www.flowerpicturegallery.com/d/5376-2/egyptian+lotus+flower.jpg

Lotus Flower Image http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=copy+right+free+egyptian+lotus+flower+images&view=detail&id=DA8E16D5D40136B33A7A3FFCB522BB0B2639C21B&first=61&FORM=IDFRIR

Lotus Flower Image – Courtesy of Bing Images http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Egyptian_Museum_-_Lotus_flower_in_front_pond.JPG

Nelumbo nucifera http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelumbo_nucifera

Nymphaea caerulea http://www.myfishtank.net/reviews/freshwater-plant-profiles/p31-nymphaea-lotus91zenkeri-92-varredred-tiger-lotus.html

Nymphaea caerulea http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaea_caerulea

Nymphaea Lotus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nymphaea_lotus4.JPG

Nymphaea Lotus Image – Courtesy of Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nymphaea_lotus4.JPG

Pink and White Lotus http://hdwallpaperpics.com/wallpaper/picture/image/free-lotus-flower-pictures-1.jpg

The Blue Lotus http://www.buzzle.com/articles/blue-lotus-flower.html

The Lotus Flower http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lotus-flower/

The Red Lotus http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/photofriday/photofriday1106/photofriday110600128/9848036-lotus-flower.jpg

The Red Lotus Flower – Courtesy of Bing Images http://www.8screensavers.com/screensavers/preview/r/e/red-lotus-flower-1-screensaver.jpg

The White Lotus http://idlowongan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/white-lotus-flower.jpg

Interactive Websites

 Do You Know Your Metaphors http://www.kidsonthenet.org.uk/dragonsville/metaphor1.htm

Fling The Teacher http://www.newton.k12.ks.us/tech/fling3.html

Metaphor Quiz http://www.quia.com/quiz/104199.html

Metaphor Quiz Upgrade http://www.quia.com/quiz/119849.html

The Big Myth – The Myths - Egyptian World http://www.mythicjourneys.org/bigmyth/myths/english/eng_egyptian_pantheon.htm

PBS Kids – Zoom Activities – Coloring Flowers http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/coloringflowers.html

Videos

Brief Introduction to Buddhism http://www.5min.com/Video/Brief-Introduction-to-Buddhism-38366041

Learn About Hinduism http://www.5min.com/Video/Learn-About-Hinduism-38365861

Learn About Mythology http://www.5min.com/Video/Learn-About-Mythology-325895331

Learn About the History of Buddhism http://www.5min.com/Video/Learn-About-The-History-of-Buddhism-117506796

Learn About the Egyptian Empire http://www.5min.com/Video/Learn-About-the-Egyptian-Empire-38364407

The Life of the Buddha http://youtu.be/zFbjDcz_CbU

YouTube Video - Lotus Flower Images (Photographs) #1

http://youtu.be/5lB3VsMqcQw

YouTube Video - The Colors of Flowers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMJZK1qTtiw

YouTube Video - The symbol of the Lotus: Meaning and Definition: Ayurveda ayurveda http://youtu.be/4ncrdjXFk0g

YouTube Video – The Meaning of Flower Tattoos http://youtu.be/7q5Wpx6x2hQ