| Photography / Animals, Plants & Nature / Flowers, Trees & Plants | ©2011-2013 *jyoujo |
Since these spider Lilies usually bloom near cemeteries around the autumnal equinox, they are described in Chinese and Japanese translations of the Lotus Sutra as ominous flowers that grow in 地 獄(also known as Hell), and guide the dead into the next reincarnation.
A famous legend is of two elves: 曼 珠, who guarded the flower, and 沙 華 who guarded the leaves. Out of curiosity, they defied their fate of guarding the herb alone, and managed to meet each other. At first sight, they fell in love ♥ with each other. G.O.D, exasperated by their waywardness, separated the miserable couple, and laid a curse on them as a punishment: the flowers of 曼 珠 shall never meet the leaves of 沙 華 again.
It was said that when the couple met after death in hell , they vowed to meet each other after reincarnation. However, neither of them could keep their words. ♥
Some other legends have it that when a person sees someone that they may never meet again, these flowers, also called red spider lilies, would bloom along the path. Perhaps because of these sorrowful legends .
for a change . but winter is right there anyways ; )
*___*