Even in an urban environment they can often be found in parks, homes, offices, in works of art and for sale. Although at the same time they are very much overlooked as well. Yet their power is seen through being given for romance, birthdays, get well soon, etc. In past eras flowers had great importance, attached to major and minor deities throughout the ancient world. Flora to the Romans symbolized nature, Spring, youth and fertility. Her festival, the Floralia, was observed between April 28th to May 3rd. The Sabine king Titus Tatius is said to have introduced her cult to the Romans. The name of the Goddess survives as the botanical term for flowers.
For many years now I’ve photographed various flowers though never consciously thinking of the Goddess, or any other spiritual being. Perhaps art is akin to a kind of worship without all the trappings, stemming from awareness and appreciation. When the cherry blossoms bloom in Japan the festivals about it certainly are akin to worship, even foreigners have a love for it. Maybe when flowers are observed then loved the Goddess and Kami’s are pleased.
Cosiddetta Flora from the Villa di Arianna in Stabiae near Pompeii, 1st century Roman fresco.
Bulki (poppy), a common flower in North Macedonia. (photographed with a Nikon D5300)
Common flower from Skopje (photographed with a Nikon D5300)