The Munsters Revisited...

When I was a kid, there were a few television shows that I watched religiously. Most of them were 'after school' fare, and many of them were as old or older than  me at the time.  Some of the popular titles were "Leave It To Beaver", "Flipper", "Father Knows Best", "Gilligan's Island", "Lost In Space", and the list goes on.  There was just about anything to fit a young viewer's taste, and to spark a young mind.  Most were based in the category of fiction, but the ones I liked were more in the realm of fantasy. My list of favorites wasn't massive.  I have already written a post or two about "Dark Shadows", and my memories of watching that.  The two others that featured high on my list were "The Addams Family", and "The Munsters".  (Anyone who knows me will not find that to be a shocker...*grin*.)

When I think of the televisions we owned back then, our black and white TV comes to mind.  A bulky number with 'Rabbit Ears' crumpled with pieces of aluminum foil to grab the signal better, and a pair of needle-nose pliers close by for changing the channels (the knob had broken off at some point).  Since both "The Addams Family", and "The Munsters" were b&w shows, it worked out. They originally aired the year I was born (1964), so I would first enjoy them in reruns.  Both shows had the perfect mix of awkward fun, and macabre humor.  As with a lot of kids my age, I had a vivid imagination.  In terms of fantasy worlds generated by the mind, I had many.  In one of my favorites, I lived in a neighborhood where the Addams' lived on one side of me, and the Munsters' lived on the other.  How cool would that be?  To me they were the perfect family units.  They were interested in some of the things I always have been (heh-heh), and they genuinely cared for each other.  Both families enjoyed meeting new people, never judging them even though they were always judged for their eccentricities (which made them charming).

(Left:  001 Cemetery Lane, Woodlawn ~ the Addams' home;
Right:  1313 Mockingbird Lane ~ the Munsters' home)

(Gomez & Morticia Addams ~
John Astin & Carolyn Jones)

When I first heard of the initial feature remake they were making of "The Addams Family" many moons ago, I was a bit resistant.  So often remakes (or reboots as many call them these days) fall short of the mark.  If the remake is of a show I hold dear, I can be rather critical.  My feeling is "why fix it if it ain't broke?"  The casting looked rather good on the face, so I gave it a shot and saw the film.  I was pleasantly surprised, and would go on to enjoy the films that followed.  The people responsible for the remake(s) pulled just enough of the darkness from the original comic drawn by Charles Addams, and married it to the television version. When it comes to good remakes, it falls comfortably into that minority.

(Lily & Herman Munster ~ Yvonne De Carlo & Fred Gwynne)

Now it's happening again, only this time "The Munsters" are in the cross-hairs. I am trying to stay optimistic.  I am!  Really!  For Herman, Lily, and company, their world is in for a complete re-imagining.  The man at the helm of this new project is Brian Fuller, who some may know as the creator of the short lived "Pushing Daisies".  (Unfortunately, I have to count myself among those who didn't watch 'Daisies'...as I remember, it was on opposite something I already watched regularly.)  The new Munsters is going to be longer than the original at an hour, and according to Fuller, "darker and less campy".  Okay, that kind of has my attention.  The darker side of life in the Munster home.  With the new title of "The Munsters: Mockingbird Lane", it is going to have more of a back story approach.  Where did these people come from, and how did their family happen?

(Some examples of Alexander McQueen's animal textured designs...the new
Lily could be very interesting.  Photos:  Style.com)

The next thing I read while looking up information on the project kind of made me cringe, and not in a good way.  The comment came out of an interview where Lily was being discussed.  The new Lily will "have domain over nature". The first time we see Lily, she is supposedly going to have a nest of spiders weave a dress directly on her body.  At another point, some ravens fly in to create a blouse of feathers on her.  Apparently, the costumes will be heavily influenced by Alexander McQueen's animal inspired designs.  Now for the cringe moment I spoke of earlier...Fuller said, "Think 'Real Housewives of Transylvania'."  Ooohhh...he had me on board, and then he had to go and say that. (*sigh*)  Okay, shaking that off, and moving right along...

(The new Munsters abode...looks like they are definitely going darker, and more Gothic.)

Brian Singer is set to direct the pilot which is good news.  A couple of other projects he has been a part of that you may know are the TV series "House", and the X Men films.  Both, I like.  If Singer is attached, it can't be all bad.  Then there is the casting...

(Left:  Eddie Izzard;  Right:  Al Lewis as "Grandpa Munster")

The first officially announced casting choice is Eddie Izzard, as "Grandpa".  I saw that Izzard is on board as a producer, as well.  'Grandpa' Izzard?  I can see it.  Been a fan for a long time, and have come to know him as a talented actor.  No arguments here.

(Left:  Pat Priest as "Marilyn Munster";
Right:  Charity Wakefield)

(Left:  Mason Cook;
Right:  Butch Patrick as "Eddie Munster")

The new Marilyn is a definite change.  Miss Wakefield is a cute young lady, but she doesn't really seem to fit the Marilyn mold. There was just something about the pretty, bottle blond Priest that fit the "ugly duckling" role better. Guess it's part of the "re-imagining".

The casting choice for young Eddie seems to be a fit.  Cook seems to have a hook to his eye that adds some mischievousness to the role.  That's my read anyway.  I haven't seen any of his work.  Now for what I see to be the most interesting casting choice so far.  The most interesting, and the most recent.

(Left:  Fred Gwynne as "Herman Munster"; Right:  Jerry O'Connell)

'Lily" and 'Herman' are the two roles I have been most curious about.  Now we know who has been signed to play 'Herman'. Jerry O'Connell is a fine actor, who definitely has the "whimsy" deal down.  He's come a long way from the chubby kid in "Stand By Me". As I'm sitting here thinking about him in the role, I think I can definitely see it.  I think he can bring the necessary sense of humor to Herman.  But there is the "re-imagining" deal.  I did read some background on Lily and Herman in an interview with Fuller.  He was talking about their relationship, and how it has a 'tragic love story' aspect.  Herman, as a man made from a collection of body parts, is in a "constant state of decay, while his wife never ages".  Guess this is one of the darker qualities of the new story line.   

Now we just have to see who the new Lily will be.  If I could pick anyone, who would it be?  I do have one thought, but I doubt she would do it. Historically, she has been a film actress. My choice for Lily would be Angelina Jolie. Yvonne De Carlo was a beauty, and she was also rather exotic looking.  Jolie fits the bill on both counts.  She is also a wonderful actress, and I think she has the chops to do something completely different.  Something no one would expect her to do.  That being said, I could see the producers going for someone like Brook Shields.  Yes, she is pretty and can act, but she would be kind of obvious.  Hmmm...I wonder...

(Left:  Munster Koach; Right:  Drag-U-La)

A feature I loved about the old series were the cars. The Munster Koach, and the casket shaped Drag-U-La, both designed by car customizer, George Barris.  I'm very curious to see what new fangled ride the new designers come up with.  They better be cool...that's all I'm saying.

NBC ordered the pilot of "The Munsters: Mockingbird Lane" in November of last year.  Since they still have a key member of the cast to announce, I think it's safe to say that we won't be seeing it in 2012.  That bit about the 'Real Housewives of Transylvania' has made me a bit nervous to see it, but I am more curious than nervous.

Crossing my fingers...please don't let it be terrible...

Venus Transits The Sun...June 5, 2012...

(Venus)

Within the next day or so, we in the US will be able to witness a rare occurrence in the cosmos as Venus Transits the Sun.  I found the info below online, and thought I would share.  It gives some great historical background, who will get to see it happening and when, plus some safety guidelines for staring at the Sun (I recommend those interested in viewing things take heed of those...).

I should be able to view it during tomorrow's Sunset...knocking wood.  We have had sporadic cloud cover over the last couple of days, as we've been getting intermittent thunderstorms.  I do love the rain, but would love to see this, too.

Like I said...knocking wood...




Source SPACE.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration

Lantern Moon...

(Photo:  Lisa Erin Brown)

It's such a beautiful Moon tonight.  That ancient satellite that circles the Earth like clockwork, catching the rays of the hiding Sun.  It's glowing face acting as a lantern in the darkened sky.

My images are roughly seven hours early of the peak Full Moon, a Moon that is partnering the Lunar Eclipse.  We won't get to see it (the Eclipse) in my neck of the woods.  The second of two Eclipses, I wasn't able to witness the first either.  (Watching it online doesn't count...)

No, I just get to look upon my old friend, Moon.

The constant, glowing Moon.

(Photo:  Lisa Erin Brown)

Who Knows If The Moon's

By:  E.E. Cummings

who knows if the moon's

a balloon, coming out of a keen city

in the sky - filled with pretty people?

(and if you and i should

get into it, if they

should take me and take you into their balloon,

why then

we'd go up higher with all the pretty people

than houses and steeples and clouds:

go sailing

away and away sailing into a keen

city where nobody's ever visited, where

always

it's

Spring) and everyone's

in love and flowers pick themselves

(Photo:  Lisa Erin Brown)

(Photo:  Lisa Erin Brown)

(Photo:  Lisa Erin Brown)

"The Woman in Black"...*yawn*...

As a Harry Potter Fan, I have seen my fair share of Daniel Radcliffe.  I, like a lot of other fans, watched him grow up in the Potter films.  With each installment, he brought young Harry to life.  A tortured young man who lost his parents too soon, and spent the better part of his formative years trying to keep himself alive.  Radcliffe had his moments of emotional explosion, but over all his portrayal of Harry wasn't all that expressive.  The Harry I got to know in the books was a much more expressive fellow.  To me anyway.  However, the fact that Radcliffe didn't bring much emotion to his face worked on the screen.  He didn't know his parents, his aunt and uncle were less than pleasant people, and when most young people are starting to get their first zit, Harry was dealing with the fact that he was linked to an evil wizard who wanted him dead. The guy had a lot on his mind. It's a wonder he didn't just internally combust.

(Radcliffe as "Arthur Kipps")

As with all good things, the Potter film series came to a conclusion just as the books had.  It was a great ride.  The last film was colored with a few disappointments (which I detail in my post "Harry Potter: The Final Installment"), but rarely are films adapted from books completely satisfying.  Over all, I have no serious complaints.  That being said...

With the last film behind him, Radcliffe is moving on to other projects.  It is his latest film that is causing him to show some chinks in his acting armor. Another movie based on a novel, "The Woman in Black". Whenever I see a film based on a book that I have read prior, I am inevitably disappointed. Rarely are film versions as good as the book.  A chief reason is film adaptations that keep within the relatively standard two-hour time frame, have to do some unfortunate (yet necessary) editing.  Since I had not read "The Woman in Black", by Susan Hill, prior to sticking the disc in the DVD player, I was a clean slate.  No knowledge of story gleaned from reviews...nothing.  I was looking forward to watching a Gothic haunted house movie, newly produced out of the hallowed Hammer Studios.  (I have long been a fan of Hammer films, especially their large collection of vampire fare.)  A cold beverage and snack on the coffee table in front of me, I settled in for some spooky fun.  Too bad that's not what I got.

I'm going to jump in here to warn of spoilers.  If you plan to see the film, I may give away more than you would want to know.  Also, I wasn't very thrilled with the movie, and that might color things for you before you even see it. The 'power of suggestion', and all. Moving right along...

Formulaic and laughable at times, I was glad that I waited to get a disc from Netflix instead of shelling out the ticket price to see it at the theater.  The "shock" moments (and I use the term loosely) could be seen a mile away.  The overall casting was okay, but with the unimaginative script it really didn't matter who they cast.  Well, I take that back.  There is one role.  One role that might have made at least a modicum of a difference if someone else had been cast. I hate to say it, but it is the role of Arthur Kipps...the one filled by Daniel Radcliffe.

(3 young girls we see jump out of a window to their death at
the start of the film...they ducked out early...wish I had.)

Arthur Kipps is a lawyer raising a four year old son. His wife died while giving birth to young Joseph, and Arthur still grieves.  His job on the line, Kipps is given one last chance to save his position.  He has to travel to the remote village of Cryphin Gifford, to examine papers associated with Eel Marsh House.  The Manor's owner has died, so Kipps has been assigned to sort estate matters out. Kipps goes to the town, and is met by cold townsfolk who want nothing more than for him to turn around and get on the train back to where he came from.  His one 'friend' in the village is Mr. Daily, a rich gentleman he meets on the train.  Daily drives the only motor car in the area, and after an initial trip out to Eel Marsh in a wagon driven by a reluctant and dreary Gorton's Fisherman-type, Daily becomes Kipps' chauffeur, of sorts.

The character of Arthur Kipps is the thread that should hold the film together. He is the one constant at the heart of the story. The bulk of the film is a solo Radcliffe hearing noises that he goes to investigate, never really finding much. (With the elements of 'things going bump', and a 'presence you know is there, but you can't see'...well, this film should be tailor made for me.  I have always preferred supernatural films to the blood and guts variety.)

Kipps never really seems to do any work...just sits and walks around looking like an emotionally defeated young man.  Creepy noises, images of faces in window glass, an empty rocking chair feverishly rocking away...nothing gets a reaction.  Radcliffe meanders the eerie set, sporting the same tired and expressionless mug through the entire film (see photo towards top of post for said expression).  I will say that the house set is fantastic.  Old, dusty, Gothic, and dark.  All the things a haunted house should be.  It still couldn't save the film.  I dunno, maybe it is the director who instructed Radcliffe to exude blank melancholia?  Maybe the vision was to try and adopt a Dickensian vibe? Whatever the case, it sapped the majority of the 'fear' out of the 'haunt'.

(The "Woman"...looks more like a demented Gene Wilder...)

Who is this "Woman in Black"?  Why do the denizens of the village want Kipps to stay away from Eel House?  Every question the film should have raised and eased us into was answered by me way before the reveals happened.  Yes, it's a maddening gift I have of being able to predict things.  It has from time to time ruined days where I just wanted to settle back and get lost in the world of film.  As for "The Woman in Black", the story line has been beaten to death in several respects, so much so that I think most people can probably figure out where things are headed.

Kipps' presence at Eel House gets the resident "Woman's" dander up, and she starts in on the children of the area.  It had happened before, and it's happening again.  She picks a victim, making the targeted child enter a sort of trance-like state.  Then the child commits a forced suicide.  This is where Daily and his wife fit into the story.  They had a young son who died.  The wife is a complete believer in the 'Woman' and her presence.  Daily is not, scoffing at the supernatural. The wife has "the sight" and keeps getting contacted by their deceased son.  There is a scene at the dinner table where she supposedly channels the boy, that I can only assume is meant to be disturbing.  It's actually pretty silly.

Years before, The 'Woman's' son died in a carriage accident.  Her sibling just left the boy's body buried in the moors, not giving it a proper burial.  This is supposedly the reason for her haunt.  She is lamenting her son. In her grief, she kills other children, and so on and so forth.  Kipps' decides to find the boys body submerged in the swamp, which he does with the help of Daily.  They reunite mother and son.  All should be well, right?  Of course it isn't...

(Hmm...I bet they're upset because they're in this movie...)

Kipps' son and nanny arrive on the train to spend some time with Kipps away from London. He meets them at the station, thinking that the 'Woman's' ghost has been laid to rest.  No, young Skywalker, she arrives at the station, influencing young Joseph to jump down on the tracks in front of the train.  Kipps sees him, jumps down to grab him, and...did they get struck?  He looks around, seeing no one.  Then...wait!  That light. Who is that blond gal?  Oh, wow, it's Kipps' dead wife come to take them to heaven.  As they walk away, Kipps turns to see the 'Woman in Black' standing on the tracks watching them go.  Aw, how touching.  She still saw fit to kill his son (and Kipps in the process), but she is letting them go to a happy place instead of hanging around the graveyard with the rest of the child sized ghosts. Disney would be proud.

Well, I had wanted to see it, and I have.  I didn't touch on all of the little minor points, but that is the bulk of it. It wasn't such a waste that I wish I could get my time refunded, but it was disappointing from a "haunted house movie fan" perspective.  Do I recommend it?  If you can see it on cable, and you like Radcliffe, then do that.  As someone who is a fan of the world of Potter, I do think Daniel Radcliffe has the ability to be a good actor.  I didn't see "Equus", which he got raves for.  For a number of years now, we all watched him grow up as Harry Potter.  I think I speak for most fans when I say that in many respects he "is" Harry Potter.  "The Woman in Black" was to be my first experience of seeing him step into the shoes of a new character.  I'll admit my expectations were a bit high.  I'm sorry to say that this latest effort was very disappointing.

Full Moon in Sagittarius & Lunar Eclipse...June 4, 2012...

June 2012's Full Moon in Sagittarius, peaks on the morning of June 4th, at 7:12 AM/EST.  This Full Moon will be partnered with the first Lunar Eclipse of 2012. Expect emotions to run to the extremes, as emotional tides can run high or low.  You might also see what was overlooked at May 20th's New Moon, resurface because of Mars in Virgo squaring the lunar axis.

Full Moons signal a culmination of things.  A time to finish some things up, and let others go. That energy coupled with the energy produced by the eclipse, means that there is plenty of potent energy to aid the process.  It's a time to bring things back on an even keel, to get balanced.  A purge is always a good thing around a Full Moon, so wrap some things up and send them on their way.  Eclipse energy has a tendency to hit the throttle and speed things up, so the next issue to tackle or project to start could arrive faster than you think. After the eclipse ends, it's influence could last for up to 6 months.

("Sagittarius";
Artist:  David Palladini)

In addition, the Moon is in Opposition to the Sun in Gemini.  If you are currently in the throes of a conflict, take a step back and see it for what it is.  Come to terms with it, so you can move on.

On the heels of the lunar eclipse, is the Venus Transit, when Venus conjuncts the Sun and crosses it's face.  The next occurrence of said event happening in Gemini, won't be until the year 2117. With a conjunction of the Sun and Venus in Gemini, relationships are brought to the fore. The relationships we have with others, and with ourselves.  Love, intimacy, our values, and self worth will be prominent, as well as finances (giving as well as receiving), and creativity.

This conjunction is also about having some fun.  Be on guard though...Mars in Virgo could 'harsh our mellow'.  There is a mutable T-Square aspect involving the Sun, Moon, Venus Retrograde, and Mars.  Mars has a tendency to nit pick at times.  It could be necessary to lay some things on the table in a relationship.  Sparing the feelings of others isn't always an easy thing to do. The possibility of injuring others with words is increased during this Full Moon Lunar Eclipse.  The presence of high strung energy doesn't help.  There is a heightened possibility for emotional upsets, and serious arguments.  That doesn't mean that it should be open season with dishing out some brutal honesty.  That approach could be devastating to a relationship(s) that you hold dear, and don't want to lose.  If you have to say some harsh things, do your best to be kind and tactful. Venus is still retrograde, so that does create a space for seeking some balance.  Take the opportunity to draw on the harmonious vibes.  They will help in getting past some of the uncomfortable relationship issues you may deal with.  Be constructive, rather than destructive.  Reflect, and revise/restructure things where necessary.  The eclipse might be pushing stuff along, but a good rule of thumb is always to think before you act.

Mercury in Gemini is Trine Saturn in Libra.  This will help with some residual effects from the New Moon, Neptune Square.  In relation to some leftover situations, you will find that you didn't know the whole story.  It's a prime time for sorting the wheat from the chaff - the half truths from the whole.

It won't go direct until June 25th, but there is a waxing Square developing with Jupiter in Taurus, and Neptune in Pisces.  Now Neptune is at a virtual standstill, as it is getting ready to station retrograde a few hours after the Eclipse.  This is having great effect on the 'small stuff'.  The smallest event or issue can easily get blown into a much bigger deal than it is.  However, Saturn in Libra will see to it that all parties involved are heard.  This influence can help in easing some struggles.

There is a lot of power from planets in mutable signs (Pisces, Virgo, Gemini, Sagittarius), with the strongest emphasis on Air and Fire.  There is going to be some head-butting, and a meeting of minds is going to be difficult to achieve.  Use your brain.  The intellect is your best course of action in solving things.  Not to say that things will get resolved right away, but any new ideas that come up should be held onto for later.

On all levels you should make choices that are loving to the self.  It is important to have someone close to you that values you.  Honesty is always the best policy, but you could very well be in a position of having to deal out some honesty that could seriously upset someone.  It's not the time to over analyze, as that is good fuel for stress.  Tread carefully.  This Full Moon is going to reveal some things we were blind to...definite food for thought.  You may feel the need to beat yourself up over the smallest things.  Reserve judgement of others, and more importantly yourself.  Flexibility is the key.  Release the things that do nothing but create inner stress.  You might feel like you need to control everything, but what is that really doing to you?  You are only responsible for yourself, don't stress about others.  It's time to work on getting your personal power back.  To get centered.  What relaxes you?  Meditating? Going for a walk in the park?  Do what you need to do to gain balance, and let go of all the negative that weighs you down.  The energies that are around for this Full Moon Lunar Eclipse are strong, and all over the place.  Take advantage of the strength to balance and heal for the positive.

The following is from the 'Old Farmer's Alamanac':

• Full Strawberry Moon ~  This name was universal to every Algonquin tribe.  (However, in Europe they called it the Rose Moon.) Because the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries comes each year during the month of June, the full Moon that occurs that month was christened for the strawberry.

The Lotus & The Water Lily...

("Water Lilies", by Claude Monet, c. 1906)

(White Lotus Flower, hand painted on silk;
Artist:  Lin Wei)

The Lotus.  Beautiful, yet slightly alien in appearance (due to the pollen producing seed pod in the flowers' center that resembles a shower head). An aquatic plant whose many petaled blooms rise above the surface of murky ponds, it's wide leaves also rising above the water.  A robust and aggressive plant, it has an ever so slightly similar appearance to another water growing plant.  A wide leaved plant that also has many petaled blooms.  The Water Lily.

While looking up some photographs of Lotus flowers on Google Images, I noticed the pictures of Water Lilies mixed in.  People mistakenly think that Lotus flowers are also Water Lilies, but the two flowers aren't related.  They are not even distant cousins.  Knowing that they are quite different wasn't enough.  As often happens with me, I was moved to look at the specifics surrounding the comparison of the two.

As you can see by the above illustration, their anatomy is quite different. However, they both do have two attributes that are pretty much universal among most flowers:  Petals, and stamens.  They both grow in fresh water, are both perennials (meaning they can live more than two years; thrive in the Spring and Summer, and then in the Autumn/Winter months they lose their leaves and blooms, to regrow and bloom in the next season), and they both like the murky and muddy waters of ponds, growing their roots securely into the muddy bottom.

(Water Lilies)

I will start with the unique qualities of the Water Lily, as I have a lot more to write about the Lotus.  If you ask most people what a Water Lilly looks like, they will probably say 'a white flower that grows on top of the water, and has big flat leaves that frogs like to rest on upon occasion'.  They would be right, except that Water Lilies are commonly pink or white.  The blooms sit on, or very close to, the surface of the water.  The leaves that frogs like to sit on are appropriately called 'pads' because of their wide, flat appearance, and the way they lie flat on the water's surface.

(2-month old baby on giant lily pad)

Water Lilies can be found in the eastern regions of North America, Canada, and are native to the Amazon.  South America boasts what is described as a "giant" variety of Water Lily (called Victoria), that has leaves so huge and sturdy that a person is said to be able to sit on them (or a two-month old baby).  These huge Lilies also only bloom at night, the blooms having a thorny underside.

The Lotus and the Water Lily both grow seed pods.   The Water Lily pods grow once the blooms are spent.  A capsule shaped growth housing the 'fruit' or seeds develops.  With the Lily, pollination is not required for it to grow, so they can quickly over-take a pond.

(Left:  Water Lily seed pod, Photo:  Michael R. Martin;
Right:  Lotus seed pod;  Middle:  Dried Lotus seed pods)

The Lotus seed pods grow on separate stalks from the flowers.  The flowers' pollen pollinates the seed pods.  Like the Lily, Lotus plants are very aggressive. When adding either plant to your own pond, it is advisable to keep the plants in submerged pots so they don't go too crazy.

Many parts of the Lotus and Lily plants are edible.  The flowers, young leaves, and rhizomes (an underground stem that grows horizontally, and sends out shoots and roots) are all edible.

(Lotus flower and seed pods)

Lotus seeds are edible, can be eaten raw, or dried and popped like popcorn. (If the dried seed pods look familiar, they are a very common component of dried flower arrangements.)  All of the Lotus' parts are used in various Asian cuisines, and the roots are used in the making of traditional herbal medicines. The flower stamens are dried for the making of tea.  (It is recommended to not eat Lotus plants raw, as there is a danger of parasite transmission.)

(Dried and "popped" Lotus
seeds)

Where the Water Lily stays low to the water, the Lotus does the opposite.  It's disc-shaped leaves grow above the water, and can grow as large as 35" in diameter.  It's blooms are larger than the Lily, and also grow upwards, reaching a distance above the water surface of anywhere from 3 to five meters.  They are indigenous to southern Asia, and Australia.

The rounded seeds of the Lotus are considered to be the oldest viable seeds in the world.  Seeds found in China were tested through the process of carbon dating.  Their age was said to be as old as 1,288 years, give or take 200 years. The seeds were successfully germinated in March of 1994, and are still growing.

The unrelated flowers are not so different after all. With so many similarities, it's interesting that these two flowering water plants are not from the same family.  It is obviously their similarities that add to peoples confusion.  Having satisfied my questions about the relationship, or lack thereof, between the Lotus and the Water Lily, I'm going to move on to the symbolic side of the Lotus flower, one of my favorite blooms.


The Lotus holds great significance in both Buddhism and Hinduism, and it was highly regarded by the ancient Egyptians.

THE EGYPTIANS

The ancient Egyptians looked on the Lotus as a symbol of creation/birth, and the Sun.  The Sun disappeared at night, and the Lotus was said to close and sink into the water until the next day when it would rise and reopen.  (I wasn't able to find much information to corroborate the act of closing and sinking under the water.  Lotus flowers slowly emerge and bloom over a three-day period. Then they open in the morning, and close in the evening.)  The Lotus also was associated with death, the "Book of the Dead" holding spells that were supposed to transform people into a Lotus, allowing them to be reborn/resurrected.

White and blue were the most common colors, and pink Lotus flowers were introduced during the late period of the civilization.  The blue Lotus was most commonly portrayed in hieroglyphics.  It was an integral part of the symbol for the unification of the two Egyptian Kingdoms.   The Lotus represented upper Egypt, and the Papyrus represented lower Egypt.  The two flowers being inter-woven, came to be the symbol for the bringing together of the two kingdoms.

HINDUISM

(Lakshmi)

The Lotus symbolizes many things to the Hindu.  Some of it's strongest associations are with beauty, and purity.  It also represents fertility, prosperity, spiritualism, and eternity.  The white Lotus is most commonly represented, with many Gods and Goddesses being linked to it.  A couple of examples follow:

The Goddess Lakshmi appears atop a fully open Lotus (either standing or sitting). Consort to the God Vishnu, she is the Goddess of material and spiritual prosperity, wealth, fortune, and beauty. Her usual depiction shows her bestowing the coins of prosperity, flanked by elephants signifying royal power.  The Lotus symbolizes the fertile growth of all organic life, as the world is continually reborn on the Lotus which grows from Vishnu's navel.

The God of creation, Brahma, is usually depicted emerging from the Lotus that crawls from Vishnu's navel.  Brahma is the father of Manu, from which all humans are descended.  Brahma is said to be self-born in the Lotus.

(Brahma emerging from the navel of Vishnu on the Lotus, Lakshmi at Vishnu's feet)

The Lotus can emerge clean and pure from muddy waters. It represents wisdom and spiritual enlightenment.  The charity in a person who wants nothing in return.  The unopened bud of a Lotus represents a folded soul, that can unfold and open itself to the divine truth.

BUDDHISM

The lotus means many things to Buddhists, who share a few of the same basic beliefs with the Hindus.  The symbology is quite similar.  First, there are the six colors of Lotus that represent different things to Buddhists:

• White:     Purity, the spirit, and the mind.  It symbolizes Bodhi (being awakened), and represents mental purity, and spiritual perfection.  Considered to be the womb of the world.
• Red:        Represents love, and compassion.  Related to the heart.
• Blue:       Represents common sense; the uses of logic and wisdom to create enlightenment.  The victory of the spirit over intelligence, knowledge, and wisdom.  
• Pink:       Represents the history and legends of Buddha.  The true Lotus of Buddha.  The Supreme Lotus.
• Purple:    Spirituality, and mysticism.  Associated with the esoteric.  8 Petals:  representative of one of the principal teachings of Buddha, the noble 8-fold path.  Following the path is a self awakening.  One of the noble truths.
• Gold:      Represents the achievement of all enlightenment, especially in Buddha

The Lotus is associated with faithfulness, purity, and spiritual awakening.  It also represents fortune, and is a symbol of rebirth.  When morning dawns, and the Lotus breaks the water's surface, it a suggestion of desire.  Desire that will lead to spiritual enlightenment.  It lives/grows in muddy water, and rises to bloom above the murk to gain enlightenment.

(Statue of Buddha meditating on a Lotus)

It also symbolizes purification.  The spirit is born into the murk.  For the faithful followers who work to rise above the murkiness, there is a purifying of the spirit.

The stages of the Lotus flowers growth represent different stages of the path to enlightenment.  The closed flower, or bud represents the time before the Buddhist follower found enlightenment.  The fully opened bloom represents full enlightenment, and self-awareness.

People are born into a world where there is suffering, and it is a vital part of the human experience.  It strengthens us, and we learn from it.  It teaches us to resist evil. When evil is banished from our mind, we can break free of the murk and mire to become one with Buddha.  It shows us who we are.  We learn to choose the right path, and not the easier one.

The Lotus represents rebirth.  It represents a reincarnation.  The soul leaves this world in its' present form to be reborn in another.

(Symbol and color for the 7th Chakra)

The Lotus is associated with the 7th, or Crown Chakra.  Called the "Thousand Petal Lotus" by many, the Crown Chakra is our connection to the divine, to the light from above.  By meditating on the Kundalini it rises through the 7 energy centers or Chakras along the path of the spine, creating an awakening and spiritual experience at each center.  When it reaches the Crown Chakra, the most profound of mystical experiences can be achieved.