[42] - Pressed Plants

Japanese breeze

I would like to be like the wind

To be one with the wind that has no beginning and no end, 
travels freely, 
journeys though all lands, 
is like huge invisible waves, 
magnificent in power and might, 
unhindered, 
unstoppable, 
subtle, 
gentle with the fields and flowers, 
majestic, 
weaves, turns and moves the birds, trees and water,
mysterious in the most captivating way,
no one knows where it comes from and where it goes. 

The wind ... 

So free!
So vast! 

I’d like to be like the wind.
It caresses our beings, our hair, our faces.
It blows in our wings, blowing our sails,
Making us take flight.

The next plant designs enter my so called category of ‘Japanese designs’. Due to the use of ginko and Japanese maple tree leaves, their simplicity and vibrant colours. While researching the main plants used in these designs I came across the beautiful meanings they are associated with, facts I did not know before starting to write this post and which I like to believe are little messages for us all in these intense times.

• Ginko symbolises longevity, hope and peace in Asian culture. Some Ginko trees even survived the Hiroshima nuclear bombing, imagine that!

“Less than a year after the destruction, spring had pushed up a green shoot through the A-bomb desert – where rumour held that nothing would grow for 75 years. The powerful emotions stirred by a little sign of life would be hard for anyone [to understand] who is not a hibakusha (an A-bomb survivor) or a Hiroshima resident. Our expressions brightened our steps quickened, in response to more than the seasonal change.” – Shinzo Hamai -

Apparently there has been a project going on to distribute seeds from the survivor trees to other nations as symbols of peace. I find that beautiful! 🥲🥹

• Japanese Maple tree it seems to symbolise peace (calm/rest) and longevity too, and in addition prosperity, endurance, patience. There are so many interesting facts about this tree, you can read more at the link attached.

  

• Eucalyptus leaves (which can be seen in the last design, the burgundy ones) are a symbol of strength, protection, and abundance.

The name Eucalyptus is derived from the Ancient Greek words "eu" meaning 'well' and "calyptos" 'covered'. Eucalyptus flower buds that have yet to bloom are covered and protected by an abundance of the lush eucalyptus leaves.

Did you know that in Japan the earliest blooms tend to appear on the southernmost island Okinawa, in January 🤩? Just a little bit more and we’ll see them too! 🌸🌿✨

Until next time!

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