lotus Pond

This photographic study chronicles the entire year-long cycle of the Sacred Lotus, a majestic flower that graces the waters of an old mill waterworks near Hamilton, Rhode Island, each summer. This is merely a small sample from a larger project. I believe the monochrome format enhances the profound appreciation of the meditative elegance and beauty of these natural wonders.

Nelumbo nucifera, revered as the most sacred flower in Hinduism and Buddhism, holds the distinction of being the national flower of both India and Vietnam. Although it comes in various hues, these particular blossoms are adorned with delicate pink tips on their petals.

As early summer unfolds, the leaves emerge from the water, seemingly defying gravity as they rise above the surface. These cup-shaped leaves possess a central “dot” that collects water droplets. Their unique waxy surface enables water droplets to accumulate within the dot and subsequently roll off at the slightest disturbance.

Soon, the flower spears push past the leaves, and the speartips gradually swell and bulge outward. Once the flower reaches its full bloom, it undergoes a daily cycle of opening in the morning and closing at dusk. These fully opened blossoms attract bees, crucial for ensuring the fertility of the seeds produced by the flowers.

After approximately 3-5 days, the blossoms cease to close and begin to droop, shedding their petals. As the central pod expands, the seeds inside it mature. When the seeds reach their full ripeness, the pod dries out and starts to droop or fall downward, allowing the seeds to descend into the water.

In the early fall, the leaves transform into vibrant shades of yellow and brown, eventually closing around their stems. The stems of the leaves and seedpods lose their rigidity and fall to the water’s surface. Once fully saturated with water, they sink and disappear beneath the surface.

And thus, the cycle commences anew in the spring, perpetuating the beauty and wonder of the Sacred Lotus.