Sacred plant in India. Plants in Indian mythology

The national flower of India is the lotus (nelumbo nucifere). This sacred flower occupies unique place in art and mythology ancient india. Since time immemorial it has been considered happy symbol Indian culture. Lotus is a sacred flower, a symbol of beauty, purity, striving for the sun, light. This image pervades all Egyptian art, from the lotus-shaped capitals of temple columns to miniature toilet vessels and jewelry.

In various traditions, the realization of potentialities is depicted as a flower blooming on the surface of the waters; in the West it is a rose or lily, in the East it is a lotus. The cosmic lotus acts as an image of creation, the emergence of the world from the original waters or from the void; it's special universal principle governing the world and the life that develops in it.

This symbol has solar and lunar aspects; he is equally close to water and fire, chaos of darkness and divine light. Lotus is the result of the interaction of the creative forces of the Sun and the lunar forces of water, it is the Cosmos that has risen from the water chaos, like the Sun that has risen at the beginning of time, “the world of developing life in a whirlwind of rebirths” (J. Campbell). This time is past, present and future, as each plant has buds, flowers and seeds at the same time.

Opening at dawn and closing at sunset, the lotus personifies the rebirth of the Sun, and hence any other rebirth, renewal vitality, the return of youth, immortality.

The lotus symbolizes the life of a person, as well as the Universe, while its root, immersed in muddy soil, represents matter, the stem stretching through the water is the soul, and the flower facing the Sun is a symbol of the spirit. The lotus flower is not wetted by water, just as the spirit is not stained by matter, therefore the lotus personifies eternal life, the immortal nature of man, spiritual disclosure.

Creation, birth and the Sun as the source of life were associated with the image of the lotus. This great flower blossomed, having risen from the depths of the primordial waters, and brought forth on its petals a being embodied in the image of a solar deity, a golden baby: the sun god Ra is born from a lotus. The rising sun was also often represented as Horus rising from a lotus, representing the universe. The lotus flower could serve as the throne of Osiris, Isis and Nephthys.

The lotus symbolized the renewal of vitality and the return of youth, for the old god dies to be reborn young. The image of the deceased holding a lotus flower speaks of the resurrection from the dead, awakening on the spiritual plane.

As a symbol of prosperity and fertility, the lotus was an attribute of the Memphis god of vegetation, Nefertum, who was depicted as a young man in a headdress in the form of a lotus flower. In the Pyramid Texts it is called "the lotus from the nose of Ra". Every morning, the god Nefertum rises from the lotus and every evening descends into the water of the sacred lake.

In ancient India, the lotus acts as a symbol of creative power, as an image of the creation of the world. The lotus was seen as a symbol of the universe, a reflection of the earth, which floats like a flower on the surface of the ocean. The open cup of the flower, located in the middle, is the mountain of the gods Meru.

In the Upanishads, Vishnu becomes the creator and preserver of the world. He is the beginning, middle and end of the whole world. When Vishnu wakes up, a lotus flower grows from his navel, and Brahma, who creates the worlds, is born in it. In the center of Vishnu's celestial paradise, the celestial Ganges flows, Vishnu's palace is surrounded by five lakes with blue, white and red lotuses that shine like emeralds and sapphires.

The lotus is associated with the wife of Vishnu - Lakshmi, the goddess of happiness, wealth and beauty. According to one of the myths, when the gods and asuras were churning the ocean, Lakshmi emerged from it with a lotus in her hands. According to other ideas, Lakshmi arose at the very beginning of creation, emerging from the primordial waters on a lotus flower; hence her names Padma or Kamala ("lotus"). The lotus-shaped throne is an attribute of most Hindu and most revered Buddhist deities.

In Buddhism, the lotus symbolizes the primordial waters, spiritual unfoldment, wisdom, and nirvana. The lotus is dedicated to the Buddha, the "Pearl of the Lotus", who appeared from the lotus in the form of a flame. This is an image of purity and perfection: growing out of the mud, it remains pure - just like the Buddha, born in the world. Buddha is considered the heart of the lotus, he sits on a throne in the form of a fully opened flower.

In addition, in Buddhism, the appearance of a lotus is associated with the beginning of a new space age. The full bloom of the lotus personifies the wheel of a continuous cycle of existence and is a symbol of Kwan-yin, Buddha Maitreya and Amitabha. In the Buddhist paradise, as in the paradise of Vishnu, in the reservoirs made of jewels, "amazing lotuses of different colors bloom."

(Nelumbo nucifera). This sacred flower occupies a unique place in the art and mythology of ancient India. Since time immemorial, it has been considered a happy symbol of Indian culture. From ancient times to the present day, the lotus is the most mentioned in Indian literature.

Undoubtedly, all are wonderful. But not every flower falls to be considered sacred. Even among the lotus, common in Asia and Africa, only the lotus, known to science as nut-bearing, growing in India, in the slow waters of the sacred Ganges, has received such an honor. The purity and beauty of the lotus is what makes it sacred. Indeed, the lotus usually grows in muddy, almost stagnant water or in swamps. Every evening, the lotus closes its flower and hides under the water, and in the morning it appears again. But his flower always remains dry, radiates purity and freshness.
The reason for this is the special structure of its petals and leaves: they can repel water and self-clean. Water collects in drops and flows down, while collecting from the leaf everything that can accidentally pollute it. This is due to the special angle at which the microfibers of the leaves are located to the water.

The lotus symbol is extremely complex, branched. It means the origins of life, and its order, creativity, spiritual path and nirvana. The core of the symbolism is the purity of the lotus. Growing from the muddy bottom of the river, the root symbolizes everything low - matter, darkness. The long stem is like a soul striving towards the light. And the flower is a spirit, pure and striving towards the Sun. In India, lotus images are everywhere - these are the capitals of columns in temples, and, and Indian women. After all, it is believed that the image of the lotus is healing, it can enlighten and give protection. From a lotus flower, Lakshmi, the consort of God, was born. Many gods of Hinduism sit on a throne in the form of a lotus, yogis learn the lotus position. And from the seeds of the lotus, growing with the size of a nut, they make a rosary. The white lotus is an indispensable attribute of divine power. Therefore, many gods of India have traditionally been depicted standing or sitting on a lotus or with a lotus flower in their hand. Brahma sits and rests on a lotus. Vishnu, the demiurge of the universe, holds a lotus in one of his four hands. "Lotus goddesses" are depicted with a lotus flower in their hair. An abundant rain of lotuses poured down from the sky at the time of the birth of the Buddha, and wherever the foot of the divine newborn had set foot, a huge lotus grew.

The walnut lotus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as one of the species of the genus Nympaea. And as a species, Linnaeus used the local name of the lotus on the island of Sri Lanka - nelumbo. Now the lotus is also isolated in a separate lotus family, which includes only one indicated genus with two species - the walnut lotus, which is distributed mainly in Asia with pink flowers and American yellow lotus (N. lutea), the flowers of which, as the name implies, are yellow in color.

Everyone knows how much Hindus revere nature. Moreover, not only animals, but also plants are considered sacred in this country. About which ones, and we'll talk in this article. We will also deal with what generally revered plants exist in different countries peace.

Sacred Ashwattha Tree

This is a little-known among us, but a sacred plant in India. Here it is a symbol. The inhabitants of this country believe that the branches this plant can drive away evil spirits from a person, and its leaves grant wishes. In ancient times, ashwattha wood was used to make ritual bowls. Scientists-researchers are aware of two archaic motifs associated with this plant. The first represents a person in ashvatthi trying to get the fruit. It was considered a symbol of religious knowledge. Also in ancient times, the Hindus often depicted a horse next to the mentioned plant. It is believed that it was under this ashvatthi that the revelation came to the Buddha.

Tulasi

In a number one more is revered interesting plant- tulsi (basil). He is worshiped as the wife of Vishnu. According to legend, she was once the wife of one of the demons. Vishnu himself turned it into a basil. Subsequently, he also married her. It is a tulsi plant with ovate green leaves. Among other things, it is also used as a medicinal herb.

A rosary was often made from this sacred plant, since, according to legend, it drives away all misfortunes and evil forces from a person. Tulasi is a plant that is described in one of the Indian epics. Once, a sage revered by the people accidentally broke his rosary made of basil and asked his servant to fix it. Tom had no time, and he promised to do it the next day. However, the sage ordered him to repair them immediately. “If you knew how dangerous it is to be in this world without them, you would tremble with fear,” he said.

Udumbara and Nyagroha

Udumbara is a sacred plant in India, revered as a symbol of abundance. Once upon a time, thrones for kings were made from it, different kind amulets and bowls. Udumbara bears fruit three times a year, hence its sacred meaning.

Nyagroha is one of the varieties of the fig tree. Its interesting feature is that it releases which, having reached the ground, germinate with the formation of new trunks. As a result, it turns out that one crown grows immediately on a whole grove of trunks. According to legend, Vishnu himself once chose this sacred plant. In India, it is believed that this god swims in the middle of the primordial ocean precisely on the leaf of the mentioned tree.

sacred lotus

This is the most revered plant in Buddhist countries, a symbol of religion. Hindus believe that the human soul, developing, blooms like this flower. The darkness of silt where this plant originates is considered a symbol of the material world. Making its way through the water column, the lotus shows the world the present spiritual transformation. If we talk about the theme "The Sacred Plants of Egypt", then here we also meet this flower. The inhabitants of this country give it the same sacred meaning as the Hindus. Like a sacred lotus, a person, having discarded everything superficial, having made his way through the jungle of life's vicissitudes, must embark on the path of prosperity and self-improvement. It is this flower that is national symbol India itself.

Rose

This is another sacred plant in India. There is a legend according to which a person who brought a rose to the king had the right to fulfill any desire. The princesses of India often walked through fragrant gardens cut with grooves in which rose water flowed.

Plants revered by the Incas

Of course, not only Hindus have a tradition of honoring various kinds of plants. Worshiped representatives of the flora and other peoples of the world. The sacred plant of the Incas, for example, coca. Once upon a time, representatives of this American people used it in their religious rituals and attributed to it a variety of magical properties. The ancient peoples who inhabited the Andes used it not only for ritual purposes, but also as a monetary equivalent, for the treatment of diseases and even for chewing. It is with straight thin branches and is currently used as a raw material for the preparation of cocaine. In the middle of the last century, the WHO committee decided to recognize coca chewing as substance abuse. After that, the plant began to be eradicated everywhere. The widely known drink "Coca-Cola" contains some non-psychoactive alkaloids from the leaves of the mentioned culture.

Sacred plants of the Slavs

Our ancestors also had a tradition of honoring trees. So, the oak was considered Perun's tree of strength and was never cut down even under a cornfield. It is he who Slavic peoples symbolized In addition, the oak was considered a reflection of the Upper World and a tree of longevity. In the sacred groves, he was often dominant. Feasts and meals were held under oak trees. A staff for the leader of the tribe was cut from this tree, passed down by inheritance.

Slavs drove away branches of hazel evil spirit, and willow was considered a protective tree. The sacred plants of the Slavs are also hops and chamomile. The first, of course, was the patron saint of festivities, and the second - a symbol of love and fidelity (loves - does not love). Plakun-grass was also very revered by our ancestors. It was used as a talisman and to search for treasures. It was believed that it "strengthens" good luck. The Slavs considered the birch a symbol of the Beginning of Life.

Vitex sacred

This plant, often used as a medicinal plant in our time, is popularly called the Abraham tree. Among the Jews, the plant is revered as giving youth. According to legend, Abraham, the forefather of all Jews, once rested under it. To achieve the effect of rejuvenation, you just need to sit under it, inhaling the aroma of its flowers. AT different times priests made staves from the branches and trunks of this shrub.

All its parts are medicinal and are used in traditional medicine and cosmetology. The fresh juice of this plant is used to cure ailments such as impotence and depression. Decoctions are drunk to get rid of various kinds skin problems and as a contraceptive. In addition, they treat diseases of the spleen, liver, mastopathy, fibroids and infertility. You can use this plant to relieve tired legs. To do this, its leaves are placed in shoes. It is not recommended to give infusions and decoctions from any parts of this plant to children under 12 years of age.

Sacred vitex is in demand not only in medicine, but also in cooking. For example, in Arab countries this bush is called "furious pepper" and is used as a seasoning for meat and fish dishes.

Revered plants are available in almost every nationality of the world. Perhaps in our time they are not given that sacred meaning, as in ancient times, but they are still not forgotten and loved. In India and others Eastern countries and today songs and poems about the lotus are composed, and one of the symbols of our country is the white birch.

Symbols of India

The national flag (approved by the Constitutional Assembly on July 22, 1947) is a horizontal tricolor: saffron (orange) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom - in equal proportions. The Indian name for the flag is triranga (lit. "tricolor"). Length and width - 3 x 2. In the center of the white stripe - a dark blue chakra. Chakra - the wheel of the Law - Dharma, was the emblem of Emperor Ashoka from the Maurya dynasty, who ruled in the III century. BC e. The number of wheel spokes - 24 corresponds to the number of hours in a day and symbolizes the forward movement of the country. The colors of the flag represent: courage and sacrifice - orange, peace and truth - white, faith and valor - green, vigilance, devotion, steadfastness - blue.

The State Emblem (approved on January 26, 1950) is an adapted image of the Lion capital of the column of Emperor Ashoka from Sarnath in the state of Uttar Pradesh. In the original, at the top of the capital are four lions standing back to back. The frieze depicts an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by wheels and standing on a lotus. This capital, made of a single block of polished sandstone, is crowned with the wheel of the law (dharma-chakra). The national emblem adopted by the Government of India features only three lions. The wheel is in the center of the upper part of the capital, a bull is depicted to the right of it, and a horse to the left. The contours of the wheels are visible to the right and left. Under the capital, in Devanagari script, are the words "Satyameva Jayate" from the Mundaka Upanishad - lit. "Only the truth will win."

The national anthem (approved on January 24, 1950) is the song of Rabindranath Tagore "Jana-gana-mana". Originally written in Bengali. Performed in Hindi translation. It was first heard on December 27, 1911 at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress (INC).

Other country symbols

The national song is "Vande Mataram", written in Sanskrit by Bonkimchandra Chatterjee. Inspired the Indians to fight for independence. Acquired the same status as "Jana-gana-mana". First performed in 1896 at the INC session.

The national animal is the tiger (Panthera tigris, Hindi - sher). Body length - 2.6–3 m, weight 135–230 kg. Population - 3500-3750 individuals (constantly decreasing). The Royal Bengal Tiger is one of eight known species tigers, is found throughout the country, except for the northwestern regions. To control the number of tigers in April 1973, the Tiger Project was launched, within the framework of which 27 tiger reserves were created in India on an area of ​​40 thousand km 2. It is most likely to see a tiger in the reserves of Ranthambhor (Ranthambhor, Rajasthan) and Bandhavgarh (Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh).

The national bird is the peacock (Pavo cristatus). Found throughout India. Protected by the Law on the Protection wildlife» 1972

The national flower is the lotus (Nelumbo nucifere). This sacred flower occupies a unique place in Indian art and mythology as a symbol of happiness.

National fruit - mango ( mango tree– Mangifera indica). Loved and popular not only for fragrant fruits. Mango leaves, hung in front of the entrance to the house, bestow well-being and prosperity.

The national tree is the banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis). Banyan has a unique form of growth - it gives aerial roots, which, having reached the ground, take root and thicken. As the banyan grows, it releases more and more new roots, and this tree-forest can have several thousand trunks! It was under this tree that the Buddha attained full enlightenment.