Seshen
For the past year, I've been obsessed with the Egyptian Blue Lotus. This plant was abundant in Ancient Egypt, but is now a rare plant. As it only blooms for part of the year, it is also extremely difficult to cultivate. It's name is also a misnomer, as it is actually a water lily whose proper name is Nymphaea Caerulea.
Symbolically, this plant represents the cycle of the sun, one of the most important concepts in Egyptian religion. It opens only a short while, and for them it's bloom represented the sun rise and sun set due to the yellow center among blue petals. This beautiful symbol also represents the creation of the cosmos, as the earth was created out of the chaotic waters of Nun and emerged as the god Nefertem.
Most interestingly, the flower is theorized by recent scholarship to contain psycho-active properties, namely aporphine (a suggested mild pain-killer). Experiments have been undertaken to determine whether Egyptians used this as a sort of party drug by soaking the flowers in wine at banquets. Although the results are controversial, there is no doubt that the Blue Lotus was an important symbol of perfumes, sexual arousal, and parties. It may have been used in art to symbolize aroma or even intoxication by depicting the lotus above the head of a party-goer.
Recently, I've been interested in trying out this mysterious plant. Who knows, it might be suitable for recreation!
Ankh Wedja Seneb
(Life Prosperity Health)
Leif Lauderdale
