Elf Heaven
View allAll Photos Tagged fertility
The Arecaceae are a botanical family of perennial plants. Their growth form can be climbers, shrubs, tree-like and stemless plants, all commonly known as palms. Those having a tree-like form are colloquially called palm trees. They are flowering plants, a family in the monocot order Arecales. Currently 181 genera with around 2600 species are known, most of them restricted to tropical and subtropical climates. Most palms are distinguished by their large, compound, evergreen leaves, known as fronds, arranged at the top of an unbranched stem. However, palms exhibit an enormous diversity in physical characteristics and inhabit nearly every type of habitat within their range, from rainforests to deserts.
Palms are among the best known and most extensively cultivated plant families. They have been important to humans throughout much of history. Many common products and foods are derived from palms. In contemporary times, palms are also widely used in landscaping, making them one of the most economically important plants. In many historical cultures, because of their importance as food, palms were symbols for such ideas as victory, peace, and fertility. For inhabitants of cooler climates today, palms symbolize the tropics and vacations. Most palms are native to tropical and subtropical climates. Palms thrive in moist and hot climates but can be found in a variety of different habitats. Their diversity is highest in wet, lowland forests. South America, the Caribbean, and areas of the south Pacific and southern Asia are regions of concentration. Colombia may have the highest number of palm species in one country. 23259
Up on Derwent Edge in the Peak District, the weathered stones take on some strange shapes. This one is popularly known as the Cakes of Bread - it's one of 3 or 4 similar ones standing in a row but at annoying spaces that didn't look great in a collective shot. Definitely a she I think. And struck me as being a rather comical, and now petrified, invading giant.
Detail from-
Volkmar Haase-'Skulptur Fruchtbarkeitsschrein' (steel, 1968)
Berlin-Zehlendorf
Rolleicord Va
Fomapan 200
Adox Rodinal 1+50
The Temple of Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple in the town of Kom Ombo in Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt. It was constructed during the Ptolemaic dynasty, 180–47 BC. Some additions to it were later made during the Roman period. The building is unique because its 'double' design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world with Hathor and Khonsu. Meanwhile, the northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris ("Horus the Elder"), along "with Tasenetnofret (the Good Sister, a special form of Hathor or Tefnet/Tefnut) and Panebtawy (Lord of the Two Lands)." The temple is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis.
The texts and reliefs in the temple refer to cultic liturgies which were similar to those from that time period. The temple itself had a specific theology. The characters invoked the gods of Kom Ombo and their legend. Two themes were present in this temple: the universalist theme and the local theme. The two combine to form the theology of this temple. A temple was already built in the New Kingdom to honor these gods, however, this site gained in importance during the Ptolemaic Kingdom. Little remains of the New Kingdom temple. The existing temple was begun by Ptolemy VI Philometor (180–145 BC) at the beginning of his reign and added to by other Ptolemies, most notably Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator (51–47 BC), who built the inner and outer hypostyles. The scene on the inner face of the rear wall of the temple is of particular interest, and "probably represents a set of surgical instruments."
Much of the temple has been destroyed by the Nile, earthquakes, and later builders who used its stones for other projects. Some of the reliefs inside were defaced by Copts who once used the temple as a church. All the temples buildings in the southern part of the plateau were cleared of debris and restored by Jacques de Morgan in 1893.
A few of the three hundred crocodile mummies discovered in the vicinity are displayed in The Crocodile Museum.
In September 2018, the Egyptian antiquities ministry announced that a sandstone sphinx statue had been discovered at the temple. The statue, measuring approximately 28 cm in width and 38cm in height, likely dates to the Ptolemaic Dynasty.
Reproductive apparatus of the prolific hibiscus — untidy and spectacular growing to five metres in my Gold Coast hinterland garden. On a misty morning.
Detail from-
Volkmar Haase-'Skulptur Fruchtbarkeitsschrein' (steel, 1968)
Berlin-Zehlendorf
Rolleicord Va
Fomapan 200
Adox Rodinal 1+50
Today's edition of Armchair Traveling takes me back to The Sacred Valley in Peru along the Urubamba River where we spent a few days acclimating to the elevation before we journeyed to Machu Picchu. We were at 12,500 feet in one of the villages we visited! It's an area of astonishing beauty and fertility, with glimpses of the Andres Mountains.
Cherry blossoms, known as sakura, symbolize the fleeting nature of life. They are stunning in full bloom but only last a few weeks before falling and withering away. This duality represents both life and death, beauty and violence. As spring brings new life, the blooming sakura exudes vitality, yet their short lifespan reminds us of life's transience.
Sakura is a prominent symbol in Japanese culture, appearing in art, film, poetry, and literature. Historically, they represented the brief, colorful lives of samurai, who lived by a strict moral code called bushido. Fallen cherry blossoms symbolized the end of a samurai's life.
During World War II, kamikaze pilots adorned their planes with sakura, symbolizing a beautiful, honorable death for the emperor. In Japanese folk religions, cherry blossom trees were associated with agricultural fertility, believed to be the dwelling places of deities who transformed into rice paddy gods.
The Hanami ritual celebrates the transient beauty of cherry blossoms. Known as "flower viewing," it involves gazing at the flowers, a practice that dates back to ancient times when farmers prayed and made offerings under the trees for a bountiful harvest. Today, Hanami is a beloved annual event where families and friends gather for picnics and parties under the cherry blossoms, enjoying food, drinks, and each other's company.
Scientific classification:
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Tracheophytes
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Rosids
Order:Rosales
Family:Rosaceae
Genus:Prunus
Subgenus:Prunus subg. Cerasus
Fushimi Inari Taisha, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan
One consequence of what I have said recently would be to completely withdraw from my digital existence. It is not necessarily the recognition (that sweet poison :) that makes me post my pictures here, nor is it to proselytize (although I do feel like I am on a mission), but because I see myself as a creative person—and this platform as my window to the world. Perhaps I am a little too open and much of what I say actually belongs to the most intimate private sphere—I will work on that—
but
no musician writes music not to be heard,
no author writes a book not to be read,
and no one lights a light only to put it under a stool.
This easily-recognized squirrel (Earless or Early for short) has been cutting a rather sorry figure in the yard for about three years. The sculpture was made by Mrs. Orca's grandmother c. 1960s (?), but it seems to me she must have had a paleolithic fertility aesthetic in mind. We'll see if it brings Early any luck this spring. Gray squirrel backyard Olympia.
According to the myth, fern flower blooms for a very short time only on the night of 23 to 24 June during the celebration of the summer solstice. In addition to the idea that the finder of the fern flower will become rich or happy. In various versions of the tale, the fern flower brings the ability to understand animal speech. The fern flower is sometimes perceived a symbol of fertility. During this supposedly magical night, young couples go into the woods "seeking the fern flower",
Elephants are a sacred symbol in Hindu and Buddhist religions, representing loyalty, power, wisdom, and fertility..
Only through extreme (some would say over the top) processing could I bring out the sunrays in the sky, which to me was necessary to create the fairy tale like atmosphere of the place and the moment. The field is sloping slightly up to the right which may deceive you into thinking that the horizon is not straight.
-- Only my contacts can see 'large' --
History of the Tiki Culture
Most often when we hear the word “Tiki” we think of carved wooden statues with piercing eyes and a menacing scowl. Some statues wear expressions of great joy or spiritual balance, while others may look more troubled or sad. The history of tiki culture dates back to ancient Polynesia. Such carvings were first discovered in Polynesia, and tiki carvings are said to represent a Polynesian God. They’re an integral part of South Pacific mythology, culture and history.
Similar to the way the Christian religion sees Adam as the first created human, Maori mythology refers to Tiki as the first man. One of the most popular legends states that Tane created the first man, Tiki, then made a wife for him. Another version, however, says Tiki mixed his own blood with clay to create the first human, while another popular variation of the story claims that Tiki lived a lonely life and craved companionship. He was overjoyed when he saw his reflection in a pool of water, but his joy quickly faded as the image shattered when he dove into the pool in an effort to embrace his new-found friend. In his anguish, he covered the pool with dirt, and the earth gave birth to a female companion.
The sheer number of legends surrounding Tiki is quite astounding—possibly because so many island cultures pay tribute to Tiki Gods. The four major Hawaiian Tiki Gods are Ku the God of War, Lono the God of Fertility and Peace, Kane the God of Light and Life, and Kanaloa the God of the Sea. Ancient followers worshiped these Gods through prayer, chanting, surfing, lava sledding and even human sacrifice.
www.homewetbar.com/blog/history-of-the-tiki-culture/
TIKI
Il Tiki fa parte di una credenza che si fonda su un concetto spirituale, tipicamente polinesiano. Di origine delle isole Marchesi, questa spiritualità viene diffusa in tutta l'Oceania attraverso la personificazione nelle forme di statue in roccia lavica, legno e ossa anche umane. Queste raffigurazioni sono presenti in diverse forme, considerate patrimonio dell'arte oceanica, come gioielli e tatuaggi dai significati tutt'ora mistici. Alcune di queste rappresentazione sono facce con grandi occhi rotondi incise e dipinte su pietre, alcune anche rappresentative gli Dei Maori.
Nomi ed epiteti dei tiki nelle religioni Maohi:
Nomi ed epiteti dei tiki nelle religioni Maohi:
Tiki-tohua, il progenitore degli uccelli;
Tiki-kapakapa, il progenitore di pesce e di un uccello;
Tiki-auaha, il progenitore del genere umano;
Tiki-whakaeaea, il progenitore del Kumara.
First attemp on TwPhCh034- assignment: Mystique (Mystikk)
As common as it is, it´s still mystique. Thinking that one, just this one, reaches his goal after what seem to be an upstream battle. This one fuses with something. From this you eventually got a replica of two individuals.
Snake's Head Fritillary | Fritillaria meleagris | Liliaceae
Explored on 11th June 2017 #06
Samsung NX1 & Kiron 105mm f/2.8 Macro
Wide Open | Manual Focus | Available Light | Handheld
All Rights Reserved. © Nick Cowling 2017.
Symbol of fertility an wealth.
Wünsche Euch für das neue Jahr alles, was der Granatapfel symbolisiert.
photo rights reserved by B℮n
The Sanctuary of Truth is a magnificent temple in Pattaya, Thailand, that stands as a tribute to traditional Thai architecture and craftsmanship. The temple is entirely made of wood, with intricate carvings depicting various Hindu and Buddhist deities, as well as ancient Thai mythological figures. The construction of the Sanctuary of Truth began in 1981 and is still ongoing. The temple covers an area of over two hectares and is over 100 meters tall. It was designed by a local businessman named Lek Viriyaphant. The Sanctuary of Truth is not affiliated with any specific religion, but rather serves as a symbol of the unity of all religions and beliefs. It is a peaceful and tranquil place where visitors can reflect and appreciate the beauty of Thai culture and tradition. The Sanctuary of Truth also serves as a cultural and educational center. It hosts various workshops and events throughout the year, aimed at promoting traditional Thai arts and crafts. In Thai culture, goddesses are often depicted with bare breasts as a symbol of fertility, abundance and caring. This is a common motif in many Asian cultures and also appears in Indian and Balinese art, for example.
The left hall in the Sanctuary of Truth is an impressive wooden structure that resembles a cathedral. The hall has an imposing height of about 30 meters and is decorated with numerous statues and sculptures depicting Thai mythology and history. With high arches, vaults and elaborate carvings, it is reminiscent of Gothic architecture. Built using traditional woodworking techniques, the hall has over 100 beautiful carvings and sculptures depicting various aspects of Buddhism, Hindu mythology, and Thai culture. It represents the birth of life and humanity. It contains statues and sculptures depicting the creation of humanity, the earth and the cosmos. It is a fascinating place to visit for anyone interested in Thai culture and history, and who appreciate the beauty of traditional woodworking and architecture. There are images of gods and goddesses, Buddhist teachings and symbols of life and nature. Another interesting feature of the interior of the left hall is the large central atrium, which is lit by a skylight. This atrium serves as a kind of sanctuary, where visitors can meditate. In general, the inside of the left hall is a wonderful example of the rich Thai culture and history, and the wood carving techniques used to create it are very impressive.
The Sanctuary of Truth is een prachtige tempel in Pattaya, Thailand, die een eerbetoon is aan de traditionele Thaise architectuur en vakmanschap. De tempel is volledig gemaakt van hout, met ingewikkeld houtsnijwerk dat verschillende hindoeïstische en boeddhistische godheden uitbeeldt, evenals oude Thaise mythologische figuren. In de Thaise cultuur worden godinnen vaak afgebeeld met blote borsten als symbool van vruchtbaarheid, overvloed en zorgzaamheid. De bouw van het Sanctuary of Truth begon in 1981 en is nog steeds aan de gang. De tempel heeft een oppervlakte van ruim twee hectare en is meer dan 100 meter hoog. Het is ontworpen door een lokale zakenman genaamd Lek Viriyaphant. The Sanctuary of Truth is niet gelieerd aan een specifieke religie, maar dient eerder als een symbool van de eenheid van alle religies en overtuigingen. Het is een vredige en rustige plek waar bezoekers de schoonheid van de Thaise cultuur en traditie kunnen overdenken en waarderen. De linker hal in de Sanctuary of Truth is een indrukwekkende houten structuur die lijkt op een kathedraal. Met hoge bogen, gewelven en uitgebreide houtsnijwerk versieringen doet dit denken aan gotische architectuur. Het vertegenwoordigt de geboorte van het leven en de mensheid. Het bevat beelden en sculpturen die de schepping van de mensheid, de aarde en de kosmos weergeven. Het is een fascinerende plek om te bezoeken voor iedereen die geïnteresseerd is in de Thaise cultuur en geschiedenis, en die de schoonheid van traditionele houtbewerking en architectuur waarderen. Er zijn afbeeldingen van goden en godinnen, boeddhistische leerstellingen en symbolen van het leven en de natuur. Een ander interessant kenmerk van de binnenkant van de linker hal is het grote centrale atrium, dat wordt verlicht door een dakraam. Dit atrium dient als een soort van heiligdom, waar bezoekers kunnen mediteren en ontspannen
No início de dezembro, junto ao Camiño Vía Vella-Puente, nas margens do rio Minho em Ourense, um ramo de bordo (Acer pseudoplatanus) exibe folhas em transição de verde para amarelo, sinalizando a chegada do inverno. Este fenómeno, comum entre árvores de folha caduca, resulta da degradação da clorofila, revelando pigmentos como os carotenoides, manifestando-se em várias tonalidades. Este processo de senescência foliar não somente indica a adaptação da árvore à redução de luz, mas também contribui para a fertilidade do solo, ao enriquecer a matéria orgânica quando as folhas caem. As alterações sazonais nas margens do Minho refletem a biodiversidade da vegetação ribeirinha e influenciam a dinâmica ecológica local, afetando tanto a flora como a fauna da região galega, onde o bordo se destaca pela sua coloração vibrante no outono.
In early December, along the Camiño Vía Vella-Puente, on the banks of the Minho River in Ourense, a branch of a maple tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) displays leaves transitioning from green to yellow, signaling the arrival of winter. This phenomenon, common among deciduous trees, results from the degradation of chlorophyll, revealing pigments such as carotenoids, which manifest in various shades. This process of leaf senescence not only indicates the tree's adaptation to reduced light, but also contributes to soil fertility by enriching organic matter when the leaves fall. The seasonal changes on the banks of the Minho reflect the biodiversity of the riparian vegetation and influence the local ecological dynamics, affecting both the flora and fauna of the Galician region, where the maple stands out for its vibrant color in autumn.
EXPLORE Worthy, Challenge #33 - FANTASY
after: Jeannette Woitzik
Textures Only ~ Competition #156
Source image with thanks to ~Brenda-Starr~
texture by SkeletalMess
texture by Pareeerica
model is the Marcus Ranum
mjranum-stock.deviantart.com/art/Goddess-5-104902330
background by Moonchilde-Stock
"One is constantly reminded of the infinite lavishness and fertility of Nature—inexhaustible abundance amid what seems enormous waste. And yet when we look into any of her operations that lie within reach of our minds, we learn that no particle of her material is wasted or worn out. It is eternally flowing from use to use, beauty to yet higher beauty; and we soon cease to lament waste and death, and rather rejoice and exult in the imperishable, unspendable wealth of the universe."
— John Muir
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