I just returned from a visit to Kaohsiung and the tiny island of Liuqiu on Taiwan’s south-west coast… and have to post this brief visual ode to the heavenly lotus plant in all its stages. Posts on other sights in Kaohsiung and Little Liuqiu will follow in time. Lotuses are just so fresh on my mind right now and I adore them. I’ve seen lotuses all over Asia and they just never cease to excite and fill me with a sense of wonder. The “Lotus Pond” not far from the Zuoying HSR station in Kaohsiung is named appropriately, as I find out. There are countless plants around the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and Spring and Autumn Pavilions in varying stages of bloom and decay. The symmetry and colours of the Lotus plants are striking, the way light is reflected and transmuted, the way the large leafs float on the water and have water float on them; the way it rises from the mud in such delicate beauty. I love the analogy of “beauty rising from the mud” and everything we read into this – the power of transformation; birth, death, decay, rebirth… perseverance, resurrection, life force ensuring the most beautiful revivals. Summed up: LIFE!
Never mind that according to longstanding Buddhist stories the Buddha appeared atop a floating lotus, and his first footsteps on Earth left lotus blossoms. 🙂 Sure – why not ?! Or the ancient Egyptians believed lotuses had the ability to resurrect the deceased… (I wonder if it ever work out?) Whatever stories we come up with to entertain ourselves, it’s all good. I just love them. Enjoy!
Surati's Musings 
Wow! Your artistic eye strikes again!! Lovely.
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beautiful study of the lotus, capturing the immediate beauty but also the history and the metaphors
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Thanks Cous xoxo
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just a wonderful photo essay. I love how much attention you pay to composition with the leaves anf flowers…the pics really grab my eye and hold it….soft muted colours are soothing.. thank you for sharing your journey . me and most wish we were in exotic worlds. thanks for capturing the intimate details of your connection with Taiwan.
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Thank you Eleanor. I was surprised how many folks hardly paid attention to the lotus flowers. The focus is on the colourful pagodas and best selfies and family photos to take with those. The flowers require a proper zoom or getting in the mud with them and cell phones won’t do a great job here. 🙂
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Beautiful images and words… from another lotus lover.
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Thank you 🙂
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Beautiful – words, photos, lotuses
A.
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Really love your photos. I hope you will consider doing a show or a photo album when you get back. Or maybe some post cards or note cards to purchase. So much beauty that you manage to capture with your little camera.
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Awww, thank you Michele, very sweet of you. And yes, I will consider it. How are you doing? Let’s have a call sometime on WhatsApp. xo
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