The Egyptian star cluster flowers (White pentas) are in full bloom in our garden now. These star shaped flowers arranged in a circular fashion in a bunch provide a decorative look. These flowers attract butterflies and bees. They need sunlight and moist soil to thrive well. The flowers remain open and fresh for about two weeks.
The symmetrically arranged five petals, creating a hollow in the centre, when seen in a cluster offers a visual feast.
They are small in size but elegant with an aesthetic look !
I read in the Wikipedia that these flowers symbolise purity, innocence and honesty! In some cultures these flowers are seen as harbingers of blessings and bounty. The florists use these flowers when they want to represent peace and harmony in flower arrangements. Some cultures associate the five petals with, Air, Earth, Fire, Spirit and water or even with five senses that humans have.
The white flowers represent beauty and love, and the purple or blue varieties represent symbols of solace in times of loss.
This flower first described from East Africa and Arabian peninsula received worldwide attention as they are good pollinators attracting butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.
They have medicinal value and are included in herbal menu to treat medical conditions.
I confess that small flowers escape my attention. The flower clusters above were the first blossoms in this season, and they caught my attention. As I read about these flowers, there was a meditative orientation that had set in within me!
Every meditative experience is a journey inwardness and deepening of the sense of awareness and presence. I was drawn into a larger meaning of these flowers beyond just sighting the flowers!
Seeing leads to beholding! There is a language of conversation between what we see and the feelings awakened within!
This awakening within is what gifts us with insight, foresight and hindsight!
That is one outcome of such experiences of an encounter!
M.C.Mathew (text and photo)
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