The charisma of the peony - Cantal - Auvergne - France - Europe

La pivoine appartient au genre Paeonia, un genre de 33 espèces surtout originaires de l’Europe et de l’Asie, avec deux espèces «égarées» trouvées en Amérique du Nord (P. brownii est même indigène au Canada, car elle s’étend jusqu’en Colombie-Britannique.) C’est le seul genre de la famille des Paéoniacées. Ainsi, la pivoine n’a aucun proche parent.

Le nom vient de Péon, disciple d’Asclépios, le dieu grec de la médecine. Selon la légende, il trouva une racine capable de réduire la douleur des femmes pendant l’accouchement. Cela rendit Asclépios si furieux qu’il voulut tuer son élève. Le dieu Zeus intervint toutefois et changea Péonia en la plante qu’il avait découverte, la pivoine.

Depuis la nuit des temps, la pivoine est vue comme une plante médicinale, autant en Europe qu’en Asie. On la considérait presque comme une panacée, capable de guérir les tumeurs, les infections, les problèmes neurologiques, et beaucoup plus encore.

La pivoine est comestible aussi, surtout ses fleurs. D’ailleurs, on dit que Confucius (551–479 EC) fut un grand amateur de la sauce à la pivoine!

C’est en Chine, pendant la dynastie Tang (7e siècle), qu’on commence non seulement à cueillir les pivoines sauvages, mais à les cultiver. C’est dans l’ancienne capitale de la Chine, Luoyang, que la pivoine fut cultivée pour la première fois. Elle demeure toujours le centre de la culture de la pivoine aujourd’hui, 1500 ans plus tard.

À l’époque, on ne savait rien de l’hybridation, ni même que le pollen servait à féconder les fleurs. Malgré cela, grâce à la culture de différentes variétés côte à côte, des croisements spontanés eurent lieu, donnant des plantes aux fleurs plus attrayantes. On commença alors pour la première fois à voir la pivoine comme plante ornementale. Bientôt, la pivoine devint l’emblème floral de la Chine et le demeura jusqu’à l’arrivée au pouvoir de la République populaire de Chine en 1949.

La pivoine de Chine, l’ancêtre de nos pivoines de jardin, n’arriva en Europe qu’au 18e siècle. On la nomma alors «pivoine blanche» (lactiflora veut dire «à fleurs laiteuses»), car la première variété connue était de cette couleur.

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The peony belongs to the genus Paeonia, a genus of 33 species mostly native to Europe and Asia, with two "stray" species found in North America (P. brownii is even native to Canada, as it ranges to British Columbia.) It is the only genus in the family Paeoniacea. Thus, the peony has no close relatives.

The name comes from Peon, disciple of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. According to legend, he found a root capable of reducing the pain of women during childbirth. This made Asclepius so furious that he wanted to kill his pupil. The god Zeus intervened, however, and changed Peonia into the plant he had discovered, the peony.

Since the dawn of time, the peony has been seen as a medicinal plant, both in Europe and in Asia. It was considered almost a panacea, capable of curing tumors, infections, neurological problems, and much more.

The peony is edible too, especially its flowers. In fact, it is said that Confucius (551–479 CE) was a great fan of peony sauce!

It was in China, during the Tang dynasty (7th century), that people not only began to pick wild peonies, but to cultivate them. It was in the ancient capital of China, Luoyang, that the peony was cultivated for the first time. It still remains the center of peony cultivation today, 1500 years later.

At the time, nothing was known about hybridization, nor even that the pollen was used to fertilize the flowers. Despite this, thanks to the cultivation of different varieties side by side, spontaneous crosses took place, resulting in plants with more attractive flowers. We then began for the first time to see the peony as an ornamental plant. Soon the peony became the floral emblem of China and remained so until the People's Republic of China came to power in 1949.

The Chinese peony, the ancestor of our garden peonies, only arrived in Europe in the 18th century. It was then called "white peony" (lactiflora means "with milky flowers"), because the first known variety was of this color.

The Queen of Spring is also the Queen of legends

La pivoine chez les Grecs

Dans leur culture, la pivoine est bien plus qu’une jolie fleur des beaux jours, elle est d’abord considérée comme une plante médicinale. Cette faculté a par ailleurs nourri un mythe grec, où se mêlent colère des dieux et guérison. Son nom d’après les rumeurs, lui viendrait du médecin Péon, disciple d’Asclépios, dieu de la médecine. Ce dernier aurait trouvé un remède à la douleur des femmes durant leur accouchement. Son maître jaloux de son talent, se dit que finalement, il mériterait bien de mourir celui-ci. Fort heureusement pour Péon et pour nous, Zeus proposa une punition moins dramatique et changea le jeune médecin en la fleur qu’il avait découverte : une pivoine. Aussi réputée pour ses couleurs vives, ses teintes et nuances ont également inspiré une légende qui continue d’exister dans notre monde moderne, à travers l’expression : “rougir comme une pivoine”.

L’histoire parle ici de la nymphe Péone, qui comme la plupart des naïades était d’une incroyable beauté. Courtisée par tous les dieux, elle eut la mauvaise idée d’en faire un peu trop et d’enfreindre le code divin de la pudeur. Un faux pas, provoquant l’indignation des tout-puissants, qui décidèrent alors de la changer en une fleur extraordinaire : une pivoine. Quant à son erreur de jugement, pour l’inscrire à jamais dans l’histoire, ils donnèrent à ses pétales la couleur de la honte, le rouge. D’où l’expression…

La pivoine au pays du Soleil Levant

L’ Asie regorge de mythes et légendes, qui nous en apprennent un peu plus sur notre fleur préférée. La première, raconte en partie pourquoi le printemps est la saison favorite des pivoines. En Chine durant la dynastie Tang, un jour de grand froid d’hiver, l’impératrice Wu Zetian après avoir bu un peu trop de vin, exigea des fleurs de son jardin qu’elles fleurissent pendant la nuit, pour la satisfaire au petit matin. Le calendrier des fleurs était apparemment le cadet de ses soucis...

Son nom signifiant “celle qui discipline le ciel”, cette dernière était persuadée qu’aucune variété fleurie n'oserait lui désobéir. Le lendemain, seule la pivoine avait décidé de n’en faire qu’à sa tête et d’attendre le printemps. La reine de la saison apparaît alors pour la première fois, comme une fleur au caractère bien trempé. Folle de rage, l’impératrice exila toutes les pivoines du pays à Luoyang, où finalement, elles s’épanouirent fièrement, donnant lieu à un merveilleux spectacle fleuri. La ville est depuis la capitale de la pivoine, et organise chaque année un festival qui lui est dédié.

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The peony among the Greeks

In their culture, the peony is much more than a pretty flower for sunny days, it is first and foremost considered a medicinal plant. This faculty also nourished a Greek myth, where anger of the gods and healing mingle. Its name, according to rumors, comes from the doctor Péon, disciple of Asclepius, god of medicine. The latter would have found a remedy for the pain of women during childbirth. His master, jealous of his talent, said to himself that in the end, he deserved to die this one. Fortunately for Peon and for us, Zeus proposed a less dramatic punishment and changed the young doctor into the flower he had discovered: a peony. Also famous for its bright colors, its shades and shades have also inspired a legend that continues to exist in our modern world, through the expression: “blush like a peony”.

The story here is about the nymph Péone, who like most naiads was incredibly beautiful. Courted by all the gods, she had the bad idea to do a little too much and break the divine code of modesty. A false step, provoking the indignation of the all-powerful, who then decided to change it into an extraordinary flower: a peony. As for its error of judgment, to inscribe it forever in history, they gave its petals the color of shame, red. Hence the term...

Peony in the Land of the Rising Sun

Asia is full of myths and legends, which teach us a little more about our favorite flower. The first, partly tells why spring is the favorite season for peonies. In China during the Tang Dynasty, on a very cold winter day, Empress Wu Zetian after drinking a little too much wine, demanded flowers from her garden to bloom during the night, to satisfy her in the early morning. . The flower calendar was apparently the least of his worries...

Her name meaning "she who disciplines the sky", the latter was convinced that no flowering variety would dare to disobey her. The next day, only the peony had decided to do as it pleased and to wait for spring. The queen of the season then appears for the first time, like a flower with a strong character. Mad with rage, the Empress exiled all the peonies in the country to Luoyang, where they finally blossomed proudly, giving rise to a marvelous flowery spectacle. The city has since been the capital of the peony, and organizes a festival dedicated to it every year.

Adult male hippo yawns wildly in front of another, Upper Shire valley, Liwonde National Park, Malawi, Africa

The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo is semiaquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females, their young, and a few young adult males.

During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses.

Female hippos reach sexual maturity at five to six years and have a gestation period of eight months.

"Yawning" serves as a threat display. When fighting, male hippos use their incisors to block each other's attacks and their large canines to inflict injuries.

© www.myplanetexperience.com

Morattico Baptist Church was founded in the midst of the Revolutionary War on January 7, 1778, with 8 congregants. By the end of 1778 it had 66 members. The present sanctuary was built in 1856 with bricks made on site. The church claims that by 1843 it was most likely the largest Baptist Church in the world with a membership of 948 congregants. One of the most notable accomplishments is that this church sent the first woman missionary (with her husband) to China in 1836. She was the daughter of the pastor, Addison Hall. He was never to see her again as she died in childbirth in 1845. This Baptist church is recognized as the mother church not only of the Northern Neck of Virginia, but of all of Virginia.

This sculpture has always been a favourite at Kelvingrove, proof that sadness can be popular. The girl's mother has died in childbirth or during a Victorian epidemic, leaving her father to look after her.

Bought by Glasgow Museums, 1901 5.80

In the language of flowers, daisies symbolize new beginnings and rebirth, in addition to love, cheerfulness, beauty, purity, innocence, hope, fun, and affection. They're also was commonly given to new mothers as a symbol of childbirth and motherhood

El Taj Mahal (Mahal, 'Corona de los palacios'; /tɑːʒ mə'hɑl/)[1][2] es un monumento funerario construido entre 1632 y 1654 en la ciudad de Agra, estado de Uttar Pradesh (India), a orillas del río Yamuna, por el emperador musulmán Shah Jahan de la dinastía mogol. El imponente conjunto de edificios se erigió en honor de su esposa favorita, Arjumand Banu Begum —más conocida como Mumtaz Mahal—, que murió en el parto de su decimocuarto hijo. Se estima que en su construcción trabajaron unos 20 000 obreros bajo dirección de un conjunto de arquitectos liderados por el arquitecto de la corte, Ustad Ahmad Lahori.[3][4]

El Taj Mahal es considerado el más bello ejemplo de tumba, estilo que combina elementos de las arquitecturas islámica,[5] persa,[6] india e incluso turca.[7] Este monumento ha logrado especial notoriedad por el carácter romántico de su inspiración.[8] Aunque el mausoleo cubierto por la cúpula de mármol blanco es la parte más conocida, el Taj Mahal es un conjunto amurallado de edificios que ocupa 17 hectáreas y que también incluye una gran mezquita, una casa de invitados y jardines.

El monumento es un importante destino turístico de la India. En 1983, fue reconocido por la Unesco como Patrimonio de la Humanidad por ser «la joya del arte musulmán en India y una de las obras maestras del patrimonio mundial admiradas universalmente». Descrito por el poeta Rabindranath Tagore como «una lágrima en la mejilla del tiempo», el Taj Mahal es un símbolo de la rica historia de la India.

The Taj Mahal (Mahal, 'Crown of the palaces'; /tɑːʒ mə'hɑl/)[1][2] is a funerary monument built between 1632 and 1654 in the city of Agra, state of Uttar Pradesh (India), on the banks of the Yamuna River, by the Muslim emperor Shah Jahan of the Mughal dynasty. The imposing complex of buildings was erected in honor of his favorite wife, Arjumand Banu Begum —better known as Mumtaz Mahal—, who died in childbirth of her fourteenth child. It is estimated that some 20,000 workers worked on its construction under the direction of a group of architects led by the court architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahori.[3][4]

The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of a tomb, a style that combines elements of Islamic,[5] Persian,[6] Indian, and even Turkish architecture.[7] This monument has achieved particular notoriety for the romantic nature of its inspiration.[8] Although the mausoleum covered by the white marble dome is the best-known part, the Taj Mahal is a walled complex of buildings that occupies 17 hectares and also includes a large mosque, a guesthouse, and gardens.

The monument is a major tourist destination in India. In 1983, it was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for being "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage." Described by poet Rabindranath Tagore as “a teardrop on the cheek of time,” the Taj Mahal is a symbol of India’s rich history.

ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved

Do not use without permission.

At the Shinto shrine Suitengū (水天宮). If you just translate the name it would mean water-sky-shrine, which doesn't make that much sense. But what does is if you take into account that Suiten is a name: the Japanese name of the Hindu god Varuna. Several Hindu gods and goddess came to Japan through Buddhism. With the 19th century official splitting of Buddhism and Shinto in Japan, Suiten was identified with the Japanese kami Amenominakanushi, and thus the worship of Suiten became a part of Shinto religion.

The shrine was founded by a daimyō of the Arima family in 1818 (in another spot, but when the family moved to Tokyo, the shrine came with them). The current shrine dates to 2016 - so the building was just 2 years old when I visited here in 2018. But the chief priest of the shrine is still a member of the Arima family (it's actually the 17th family head).

The shrine is dedicated to conception and safe childbirth, which makes it very popular (as can be seen by this lunch time rush). And it is very, very easy to find. You just have to get to the Suitengumae station ('mae' means 'in front of' - so the name of the station is literally 'in front of the Suiten shrine').

Votive tablets and textile rings at Okazaki shrine - one of the oldest in Kyoto. Traditionally associated with fertility and childbirth. The rabbit motif is commonly used here. Hasselblad X1D.

Updated an old look from last year, this head was too perfect to not use! Being a bit of a cat lady I've always had a love for Bastet.

Bastet is the Egyptian goddess of the home, domesticity, women's secrets, cats, fertility, and childbirth. She protected the home from evil spirits and disease, especially diseases associated with women and children.

────────── S P O N S O R S ──────────

♥ .:SYNNERGY.TAVIS:. Mainstore | Marketplace ♥

BACKDROP. SYNNERGY.TAVIS// Fantasy Oasis at Mainstore

♥ BeSpoke Mainstore | Marketplace ♥

HEAD. BeSpoke - Neko Stray at Mainstore

─────── O T H E R ─ C R E D I T S ────────

♥ HAIR. Foxy - Altair

♥ EYES. {S0NG} Vampyra Eye

♥ SKIN.

• :Dernier: "Foxxie" Skin (Dark Elf)

• Velour: Ipanema Body Skin (Dark elf)

♥ TATTOO. Ghoul - Godae Marking

♥ HANDS. Clover x BeSpoke - Stray Neko Hands

♥ FEET. AP: Feety Peets

♥ OUTFIT.

• Faida - Merith

• *{Junbug}* Agnetha - Draped Sleeves

──────────────────────────────

The white stork is one of Europe’s biggest birds. When standing, it measures about 95 to 110 centimetres and it has a wingspan of around 183 to 217 centimetres. The white stork is easily recognisable by its white plumage, its black wing and shoulder feathers as well as its long red bill (measuring 14-19 centimetres) and its red legs. When foraging for food, the white stork strides sedately across meadows and pastures, its neck straight, leaning slightly forward. In flight its wingbeats are slow and regular. Unlike herons, storks fly with both their neck and legs outstretched. As “gliders”, they use thermals to soar, their wings held still, high into the sky. We know from monitoring ringed storks that they can live to be up to 39 years old.

The stork is traditionally regarded as a lucky charm, not only in the Netherlands but also in countries such as Turkey, Morocco, and Greece. They believe the bird to have similarities with humans: it cares for its young and mourns their loss if they die.

In the Middle Ages, people in Germany even believed that the stork could prevent fires and, as a result, storks could be found in practically every German house.

In some parts of the Netherlands the Dutch say that “the stork has visited” when a child is born and some new parents often put a (toy) stork in their front yard. Later, the stork became directly associated with childbirth. Some greeting cards carry an image of a stork carrying a baby.

The Hague’s coat of arms includes a stork (minus the baby).

Storks are the “playboys” of the bird family as they are not monogamous, taking on a new partner every year.

Storks lay a maximum of seven eggs a season and their young ones eat approximately four kilograms of food every day.

After 40 days the young ones get flying lessons from their parents, and after 10 weeks they become independent and are left to fend for themselves.

Bastet is the Egyptian goddess of the home, domesticity, women's secrets, cats, fertility, and childbirth. She protected the home from evil spirits and disease, especially diseases associated with women and children.

ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved

Do not use without permission.

At the Shinto shrine Suitengū (水天宮). If you just translate the name it would mean water-sky-shrine, which doesn't make that much sense. But what does is if you take into account thay Suiten is a name, the Japanese name of the Hindu god Varuna. Several Hindu gods and goddess came to Japan through Buddhism. With the 19th century official splitting of Buddhism and Shinto in Japan, Suiten was identified with the Japanese kami Amenominakanushi, and thus the worship of Suiten became a part of Shinto religion.

The shrine was founded by a daimyō of the Arima family in 1818 (in another spot, but when the family moved to Tokyo, the shrine came with them). The current shrine dates to 2016, but the chief priest of the shrine is still a member of the Arima family (it's actually the 17th family head).

The shrine is dedicated to conception and safe childbirth, which makes it very popular (as can be seen by this lunch time rush). And it is very, very easy to find. You just have to get to the Suitengumae station ('mae' means 'in front of' - so the name of the station is literally 'in front of the Suiten shrine').

The little dressed up girl to the far left was there with her family to celebrate the festival of Shichi-go-san - and they weren't alone either.

Devotion to the Eucharist, priests, peace, expectant mothers, unborn children, safe childbirth, married couples who wish to conceive, infertile married couples, Bohemia (Czech Republic), Archdiocese of Magdeburg, Germany

Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya

East Africa

The word hippo translates to river horse in ancient Greek. The giant animal weighs a whopping 8,000 pounds. The hippo can only be found in Africa. Hippos are native to over 30 countries in Africa. These herbivores live up to 50 years in the wild. There are only two species of hippos on the planet. These include the common hippopotamus and the pygmy hippo.

The hippopotamus is one of the largest quadrupeds and, despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been recorded as running at 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances. The hippopotamus is a highly aggressive and unpredictable animal and is ranked among the most dangerous animals in Africa.

They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. The demand for hippo teeth escalated after the ban on the international trade of elephant ivory in 1989.

The common hippopotamus is semiaquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to 30 females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity, and hippos are not territorial on land. – Wikipedia

A mother is all alone pushing a stroller with red shade in a summer day.

Japan has serious problems with the declining birth rate and actually there are few babies in a big city like Tokyo.

My simple question is what sort of adult they will be when small number of babies are raised in such modern and neat urban space.

Will they get the clarity of mind to solve every issue in a logical manner?

Background in this image is a public facility complex of Minato-ku which is the wealthiest ward in Japan. Minato-ku decided to support up to 600,000 yen (equivalent to 5,985 US dollars) for each childbirth in order that the expense of the delivery becomes free virtually.

Again I wonder to myself. Does this become one of the effective ways to stop the declining birth rate?

Thanks to everyone who took time to view, comment or fave!

For those who celebrate Father's Day, Happy Father's Day!

Did you know that this special celebration originated in Spokane WA?

Father's Day is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year on June 16th, and it all began when a young woman wanted to honor her dad.

In May of 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Wash., sat in church listening to a Mother's Day sermon. She decided she wanted to designate a day for her dad , William Jackson Smart. Dodd's mother had died in childbirth, and Dodd's father, a Civil War veteran, had taken the responsibility of singlehandedly raising the newborn and his other five children.

The following year, Dodd wanted to celebrate Father's Day on June 5th, her father's birthday, and petitioned for the holiday to be recognized in her city. Needing more time to arrange the festivities, Spokane’s mayor pushed the date back by two weeks, and the first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19th, 1910.

Finally President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers in 1966, but it wasn't until 1972 that President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it a permanent holiday. Since then, Father’s Day has become a time to recognize the many different father figures in our lives.

Thank you Dad!

Tanzania National Park

Tanzania

East Africa

The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo, is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae.

After the elephant and rhinoceros, the common hippopotamus is the third-largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl. The closest living relatives of the Hippopotamidae are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc.) from which they diverged about 55 million years ago.

Adults average 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) and 1,300 kg (2,870 lb) for males and females respectively. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances.

The common hippopotamus inhabits rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water.

They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. - Source Wikipedia

Though they look like blueberries growing out in the woods, blue cohosh is not necessarily good to eat, at least if you're a guy. But back in the day, gals would brew these berries into a tea to induce labor and ease a bit of the accomanying pain during childbirth.

{pregnancy memories’ series}

📷

17 aug. 2018, 26 days before childbirth💝

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‘ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴄʏ ᴍᴇᴍᴏʀɪᴇs’ sᴇʀɪᴇs

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•ᴵᴾᴴᴼᴺᴱ 7+

•ᶜᴬᴹᴱᴿᴬ+ 2

•ᴾᴵˣᴸᴿ

•ᴱᴺᴸᴵᴳᴴᵀ

•ᴹᴱˣᵀᵁᴿᴱˢ (BFMCYCV)

•ᴿᴺᴵ ᶠᴵᴸᴹˢ (Kodachrome HC), ᴬᴰᴶᵁˢᵀᴹᴱᴺᵀˢ

===

Masai Mara National Park

Kenya

East Africa

Pod of hippos in the water at the edge of the Mara River.

The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo, is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae. The name comes from the ancient Greek for "river horse".

After the elephant and rhinoceros, the common hippopotamus is the third-largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl. The closest living relatives of the Hippopotamidae are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc.) from which they diverged about 55 million years ago.

Adults average 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) and 1,300 kg (2,870 lb) for males and females respectively. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances.

The common hippopotamus inhabits rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water.

They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. - Source Wikipedia

Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya

East Africa

The word hippo translates to river horse in ancient Greek. The giant animal weighs a whopping 8,000 pounds. The hippo can only be found in Africa. Hippos are native to over 30 countries in Africa. These herbivores live up to 50 years in the wild. There are only two species of hippos on the planet. These include the common hippopotamus and the pygmy hippo.

The hippopotamus is one of the largest quadrupeds and, despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been recorded as running at 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances. The hippopotamus is a highly aggressive and unpredictable animal and is ranked among the most dangerous animals in Africa.

They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. The demand for hippo teeth escalated after the ban on the international trade of elephant ivory in 1989.

The common hippopotamus is semiaquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to 30 females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. – Wikipedia

Near Kruger National Park

South Africa

The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo, is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae.

After the elephant and rhinoceros, the common hippopotamus is the third-largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl. The closest living relatives of the Hippopotamidae are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc.) from which they diverged about 55 million years ago.

Adults average 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) and 1,300 kg (2,870 lb) for males and females respectively. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances.

The common hippopotamus inhabits rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water.

They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. - Source Wikipedia

Menodora scabra is broom-like shrub, known by the common name rough menodora or broom twinberry. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in varied mountain, plateau, and desert habitat. Native American Navajo people developed cold infusion of this plant to treat heartburn and facilitate labor for childbirth. A root decoction was used to treat spinal pain.

The inflorescence is a loose cluster of yellow flowers at the tip of a stem branch. flic.kr/p/2fseebo

Full frame. Dedicate Vintage macro film lens. No crop. No post processing.

47/365

www.catherinesienko.com

Maybe you know :)

A fictional conversation of twins in their mother's womb.

Do you believe in life after childbirth?

- Certainly. There must be something after the birth.

This is nonsense, there is no life after childbirth. What could he look like?

- I don't know, but there will definitely be more light than here. Maybe we'll run on our own and eat with our mouths.

Well, that's nonsense! You can't run. And eating with your mouth is completely ridiculous! We are fed by the umbilical cord. Let me tell you something: Life after childbirth is out of the question - the umbilical cord is already too short.

- No, there will definitely be something. It's just that everything will be a little different than we're used to here.

But no one returned from there after the birth. Life simply ends with childbirth. And in general, life is nothing but a lingering crampedness in the dark.

- Well, I don't know exactly what it will look like after giving birth, but we'll see our mom anyway and she'll take care of us.

Mum? Do you believe in mom? And where do you think she should be?

- Well, all around us! We wouldn't be without her at all.

I do not believe this! I've never seen a mom, so it's clear there isn't one.

- But sometimes, when we are silent, we can hear she singing or feel him caressing our world...

The Aztec belief was that brave warriors that died in battle and women who died in childbirth ( wow ! ) would ascend to the Sun and War God's palace as a hummingbird. He is always represented with a blue-green hummingbird helmet.

And it can't hurt to have a rainbow path leading right to the afterlife-----

After I depart this earthly plain, look for me in your local hummingbird !!!

ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved

Do not use without permission.

So you thought old Greek (and Roman) marbles were white and serene and the relief depictions, like here, were just subtle hints for when you got closer.

No, no, no.

Art from the Antiquity (both Roman and Greek) were quite colourful. It's just the ages that has weathered most of this away. Modern technique has made it possible to pick up minute traces of these colours and now reconstruct how they must have looked like as newly made. (You can often find faint traces of colours on statues in museums if you can look close enough - just don't look so closely you will attract attention from a guard or two!)

This is the original and the modern reconstruction of a grave marker in marble. It was erected in Athens around 330 B.C. The motif is woman dying in childbirth (yes, you sat up when giving birth back then) - a sad, but not uncommon occurrence in the times before modern health-care - and probably reflects the fate of the person buried (no text seems to be preserved, so we don't know who this dead woman is).

At the museum Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen, Denmark - which has a magnificent collection of, among other things, Greek and Roman marbles.

Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya

East Africa

Each year, World Hippo Day on February 15th provides a special day to celebrate the world’s third-largest mammal.

The word hippo translates to river horse in ancient Greek. The giant animal weighs a whopping 8,000 pounds. There is only one continent in the world you can find a hippo. That continent is Africa. Hippos are native to over 30 countries in Africa. These herbivores live up to 50 years in the wild. There are only two species of hippos on the planet. These include the common hippopotamus and the pygmy hippo.

The hippopotamus is one of the largest quadrupeds and, despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been recorded as running at 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances. The hippopotamus is a highly aggressive and unpredictable animal and is ranked among the most dangerous animals in Africa. Nevertheless, they are still threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. The demand for hippo teeth escalated after the ban on the international trade of elephant ivory in 1989.

The common hippopotamus is semiaquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to 30 females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. - Wikipedia

captives, criminals, political prisoners, imprisoned people, prisoners of war, slaves, women in labor, barrel makers, coopers, blacksmiths, childbirth, coal miners, coppersmiths, farmers, greengrocers, grocers, horses, locksmiths, miners, porters, prisoners and against burglaries and against robberies or robbers.

LARGE view www.flickr.com/photos/jaciii/52678947484/sizes/l/

Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya

East Africa

The word hippo translates to river horse in ancient Greek. The giant animal weighs a whopping 8,000 pounds. The hippo can only be found in Africa. Hippos are native to over 30 countries in Africa. These herbivores live up to 50 years in the wild. There are only two species of hippos on the planet. These include the common hippopotamus and the pygmy hippo.

The hippopotamus is one of the largest quadrupeds and, despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been recorded as running at 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances. The hippopotamus is a highly aggressive and unpredictable animal and is ranked among the most dangerous animals in Africa.

They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. The demand for hippo teeth escalated after the ban on the international trade of elephant ivory in 1989.

The common hippopotamus is semiaquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to 30 females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. – Wikipedia

Please, no invitations to award groups or to those with large/animated comment codes.

The Hippopotamus is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal and ungulate native to sub-Saharan Africa. The name comes from the ancient Greek for "river horse" (ἱπποπόταμος).

After the elephant and rhinoceros, the hippopotamus is the third-largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl. Despite their physical resemblance to pigs and other terrestrial even-toed ungulates, the closest living relatives of the Hippopotamidae are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc.), from which they diverged about 55 million years ago. Hippos are recognisable by their barrel-shaped torsos, wide-opening mouths revealing large canine tusks, nearly hairless bodies, columnar legs and large size; adults average 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) for males and 1,300 kg (2,870 lb) for females. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances.

Hippos inhabit rivers, lakes, and mangrove swamps, where territorial males preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females and young hippos. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippos rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. The hippo is among the most dangerous animals in the world due to its highly aggressive and unpredictable nature. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth.

------------------

It was amazing and a little bit nerve-wracking to be so close to these wonderful animals, especially since we were in a rather small boat.

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. February 2017.

Uganda Eco Tours.

African Daisy

TD : 1/100 f/8 ISO 800 @50 mm

Hadn't been out to the nature reserve, the Diemer Vijfhoek, for a while. I'd forgotten what a wonderful place it is (www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@N00/52273686037/in/photoli...). Great flutterings of many orange Maps there today, all feeding on white Queen Anne's Lace. This orange and black is their Spring garb; later in Summer they'll turn brown and white. The Latin name refers back to the ancient Greek word for a spider's web whose form you might see on the underside of Map's wings (see top right). 'Levana' is said to go back on the name of a Roman goddess of childbirth; the midwife apparently lifted the newborn child up from its mother. So, too, our Butterflies soar upwards. Well...

Snow trilliums are in full bloom out in the forests now. Known too as birthroot, snow trillium tea was used by prehistoric people to relieve cramping during childbirth.

Menodora scabra is broom-like shrub, known by the common name rough menodora or broom twinberry. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in varied mountain, plateau, and desert habitat. Native American Navajo people developed cold infusion of this plant to treat heartburn and facilitate labor for childbirth. A root decoction was used to treat spinal pain.

The inflorescence is a loose cluster of yellow flowers at the tip of a stem branch. flic.kr/p/2fseebo

Full frame. Dedicate Vintage macro film lens. No crop. No post processing.

www.catherinesienko.com

Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, Florida, USA.

The Presbyterian congregation in St. Augustine was organized in June 1824, during the Territorial Period of Florida’s history.

This current day iconic structure was given by Henry Morrison Flagler and dedicated in 1889 as a memorial to his daughter Jenny Louise Benedict who died from complications from childbirth.

***‘pregnancy memories’ series***

📷 💝🌿☂

10 sept. 2018, two days before childbirth❤️

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‘ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴄʏ ᴍᴇᴍᴏʀɪᴇs’ sᴇʀɪᴇs

===

ᴵᴾᴴᴼᴺᴱ 7+

ᴬᴾᴾˢ ᵁˢᴱᴰ (ᴵᴼˢ):

•ᶜᴬᴹᴱᴿᴬ+ 2

•ᴴᴵᴾˢᵀᴬᴹᴬᵀᴵᶜ

/ᴸᴱᴺˢ: Jane | ᶠᴵᴸᴹ: Irom 2000 | ᶠᴸᴬˢᴴ: none/, ᴬᴰᴶᵁˢᵀᴹᴱᴺᵀˢ

•ᴿᴺᴵ ᶠᴵᴸᴹˢ (Rollei Digibase Generic Warm), ᴬᴰᴶᵁˢᵀᴹᴱᴺᵀˢ

•ᴹᴱˣᵀᵁᴿᴱˢ (SGCYUJI)

•ᴱᴺᴸᴵᴳᴴᵀ(selective color adjustments, duo gradients and more)

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Near Kruger National Park

South Africa

Check out this website for more information. www.wildlifeday.org/en

The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo, is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae.

After the elephant and rhinoceros, the common hippopotamus is the third-largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl. The closest living relatives of the Hippopotamidae are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc.) from which they diverged about 55 million years ago.

Adults average 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) and 1,300 kg (2,870 lb) for males and females respectively. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances.

The common hippopotamus inhabits rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water.

They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. - Source Wikipedia

Henry Morrison Flagler (1830-1913) built this church to the glory of God as a memorial to his daughter, Jennie Louise Flagler Benedict, who passed away as a result of childbirth in 1889. The church was dedicated in March 1890.

The Venetian Renaissance style of the church is reflected in the pointed arches and Byzantine dome.

St. Augustine, Florida

Wishing everyone a very pleasant Sunday!

Moremi Game Reserve

Okavango Delta

Botswana

Southern Africa

The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo, is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae. The name comes from the ancient Greek for "river horse".

After the elephant and rhinoceros, the common hippopotamus is the third-largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl. The closest living relatives of the Hippopotamidae are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc.) from which they diverged about 55 million years ago.

Adults average 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) and 1,300 kg (2,870 lb) for males and females respectively.

Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances.

The common hippopotamus inhabits rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land.

The hippopotamus is among the most dangerous animals in the world as it is highly aggressive and unpredictable. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. – Wikipedia

The King of the Fairies, Oberon's personality has two sides. On the one hand, he ensures that the proper lovers end up together by the end of the play. He sympathizes with the sorely abused Helena and causes Demetrius to fall madly in love with her. As a benevolent ruler of the spirit world, he also brings blessing of peace and health to the future families of the newlyweds. But his personality is not all kindness; Oberon shows a more malicious side in his dealings with Titania.

Their initial interaction in the play begins with a fight. The dual has been brought about by Titania's possession of an Indian boy. While Titania appears to be legitimately raising this child, the only son of one of her votresses who died in childbirth, Oberon has decided he wants the boy as a servant. Why? Shakespeare never tells us. Perhaps Oberon wants to prove his male authority over Titania; perhaps he feels Titania is overindulging the boy and would like to bring discipline into his life. Any explanation the audience comes up with must be based in conjecture, because Shakespeare does not explain Oberon's motivation. No explanation, though, would seem to justify the cruelty Oberon uses in winning the boy away from Titania. Oberon casts a spell upon her, a trick that leaves her in love with Bottom, the ass. Many critics recognize Oberon's kindness in releasing her from this spell as soon as he has gotten what he wanted from her — the boy — but his treachery must still be acknowledged.

Tanzania National Park

Tanzania

East Africa

The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo, is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae.

After the elephant and rhinoceros, the common hippopotamus is the third-largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl. The closest living relatives of the Hippopotamidae are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc.) from which they diverged about 55 million years ago.

Adults average 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) and 1,300 kg (2,870 lb) for males and females respectively. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances.

The common hippopotamus inhabits rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water.

They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. - Source Wikipedia

The temple of the ancient Greek goddess Hera is located in what is known as The Valley of Temples, an archaeological site in Agrigento, Sicily, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Valley includes remains of seven temples. The best preserved is the temple dedicated to the goddess Concordia. The Temple of "Hera", was built in the 5th century BC. It was burnt in 406 BC by the Carthaginians.

Hera was the goddess of marriage, women, and family, and the protector of women during childbirth. In Greek mythology, she was queen of Mount Olympus, sister and wife of Zeus, the God of Gods. One of her defining characteristics in myth is her jealous and vengeful nature in dealing with any who offended her, especially Zeus's numerous adulterous lovers and illegitimate offspring.

(Although it was a bright, sunny day, I preferred a monochrome version).

The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or common hippopotamus, is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal and ungulate native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae, the other being the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis or Hexaprotodon liberiensis). The name comes from the ancient Greek for river horse. After the elephant and rhinoceros, both of which are found in Africa, the hippopotamus is the third-largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl. Despite its physical resemblance to pigs and other terrestrial even-toed ungulates, the closest living relatives of the Hippopotamidae are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc.) from which they diverged about 55 million years ago. The hippopotamus is recognisable by its barrel-shaped torso, wide-opening mouth revealing large canine tusks, nearly hairless body, columnar legs and large size; adults average 1,500 kg and 1,300 kg for bulls and cows respectively. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h over short distances. The hippopotamus inhabits rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty cows and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippos rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. The hippo is among the most dangerous animals in the world as it is highly aggressive and unpredictable. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. 31552

Ouch!! Who bit my tail??

Kruger National Park

South Africa

*******************

The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or common hippopotamus, is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal and ungulate native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae, the other being the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis or Hexaprotodon liberiensis). The name comes from the ancient Greek for "river horse". After the elephant and rhinoceros, both of which are found in Africa, the hippopotamus is the third-largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl. Despite its physical resemblance to pigs and other terrestrial even-toed ungulates, the closest living relatives of the Hippopotamidae are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises, etc.) from which they diverged about 55 million years ago.

The hippopotamus is recognisable by its barrel-shaped torso, wide-opening mouth revealing large canine tusks, nearly hairless body, columnar legs and large size; adults average 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) and 1,300 kg (2,870 lb) for bulls and cows respectively.

Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances.

The hippopotamus inhabits rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty cows and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippos rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land.

The hippo is among the most dangerous animals in the world as it is highly aggressive and unpredictable.

They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth.

Taxi ✧Taxi✧

Listen ✧♫♪ Discovery Of India♪♫✧

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by the Mughal Emperor Sha Jahan in honor of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal (the "Chosen of the Palace" or the "Jewel of the Palace"), who died in childbirth.