Dwelling on yesterday’s post for a moment, someone here knows the sea and the pattern of tides. To my eye, the sea looked really calm in comparison to other times. Some choose to ignore the warning.
A bit like breakfast. It is timetabled to finish at 10:00. However, we marvelled at people drifting in at 10:30 and later, receiving a warm smile and being ushered to a table. In the UK the drawbridge would be up and two members of the King’s guard would be positioned in a way that left you in no doubt that you had failed to make the cut.
When it rains here, it rains. This morning, we were sat out, basking in the soothing, warm breeze, reading. The sky in the distance, looking out across the sea, began to darken. Just minutes later, it swept in…
Noticeable (remember the animals moving out of harms way when the tsunami was rolling in – yesterday’s blog) was that the common birds that frequent the area took flight a minute or two afore we did.
The place at which we are staying on Kata Noi beach is beautifully landscaped. Among it all, nothing is more eye catching than the Blue Lotus, or Blue Water Lily, growing in water filled troughs.
Generally, in Thailand, the lotus flower (ดอกบัว) is regarded as a symbol of purity, faithfulness and spiritual awakening. This is because the lotus itself emerges from the mud and keeps growing toward the light and warmth, representing the act of rising above the sea of defilement while aspiring for enlightenment. Different colours of lotus flowers are associated with different meanings. For instance, blue represents wisdom, white symbolises spiritual perfection or pink represents the Buddha.
Many believe that they will eventually attain enlightenment, just like how the lotus rises and blooms above the water.
In cosmetics the flower extract is used as natural moisturizer, skin oil balancer and natural hair conditioner. The historic use and recognition of Blue Lotus goes back to Cleopatra VII the famous queen in ancient Egypt some 2100 years ago.
Another, just as striking flower, to be enjoyed and seen in abundance here is the orchid (กล้วยไม้).
Many Thai gardens and resorts attach orchids to trees – as has been done where we are staying – where they happily grow and produce their exotic flowers.
Orchids are delicate and intricate flowers that symbolize beauty and tranquility in Buddhism. The significance of orchids is linked to the transformation of the mind and the serenity found within Buddhist art
For the people of Thailand, flowers have deep cultural meaning. Although, if you do want to speak with the ‘language of flowers’, beware that you get it right! If you wish to say “Get well soon”, there is one particular flower that should never be given or even be placed near the sick bed. It’s the Agave amica or tuberose.
That’s because it’s the flower that Thais usually place near the coffin at funerals. Hence, it is known as the “funeral flower.”
Jasmine is mostly for mothers. It symbolises motherly love.
Thai National Mother’s Day is celebrated on 12th August.
For Thais the sunflower is resistant to the sun, indicating strength and moving in the right direction. A bouquet of sunflowers is a message of goodwill and well-wishing to the receiver.
Personally, I would be more than happy to receive a bouquet of Chrysanthemum. For Thais – an idea adopted from the Chinese – they represent longevity. I’ll take that. So much left to see and do!
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