FLOWERS.
Zahrat, . . . . ARAB. Fiore, Ir.
Fleur, FR nor Sr. I3lume, Kern, . . GER. Pu, . . . . TAM., TEL. Phul, . PERS. Chiehek, . . . . TURK.
FlOwers are largely used by Mahomedans,Hindus, Buddhists, and the followers of Confucius in their worship of the deity, or of their idols, and in their offerings for the dead. Flowers do not seem to have been similarly employed at any time by the Hebrew mce ; and in Acts xiv.13, when the priests of Jupiter came to Paul with an ox for sacrifice and with garlands, is the only mention of them that occurs. At the time of worship, the Hindu priest places a garland of flowers upon the idol. Whether Paul and Silas were to be the objects of worship, to receive the garlands, or the oxen intended to be slaughtered, in either case the practice would be conformable to that of the Hindus. There are numerous flower shops for their sale. But though so largely used in the south and east of Asia, the Aryan Hindu does not seem to care for flowers as beautiful objects of nature. He could not sing,— In summer, autumn, winter, or spring, A flower to me is the loveliest thing That hath its birth On this chequered earth,' though Western poets delight to dwell on the love that Eastern races have for the natural flowers. Hindu ladies sometimes wear a, little mirror, called chury, of polished metal, in a ring on the thumb, and amongst Hindus the lotus is the emblem of female beauty. In a tale, it is mentioned that Krishna, who had concealed his passion from the parents of a damsel whom he secretly visited, unfortunately chanced to find her in the midst of her relations. How great her distress ! He VOA averse to departing without expressing his passion ; words were debarred, both were embarrassed, love prompted : He with salute of deference due A lotos to his forehead prest ; She raised her mirror to his view, And turned it inward to her breast.' The flowers of the Calotropis gigantea, Jasminum sambac, Michelia champaca, Mesua ferrea, form the ornaments with which Kama, Flindu god of love, ornaments his arrows.
' He with five flowerets tips the ruthless darts, Which through five senses pierce enraptured hearts : Strong Chumpa, rich in odorous gold; Warm Amer, nursed in heavenly moukl ; Dry Nag-keser, in silver smiling ; Hot Kittikam, our sense beguiling ; And last, to kindle fierce the scorching flame, Love-shaft which gods bright Vela name.' Clitorea ternatea is sacred to Durga ; Jonesia asoca is a sacred plant. The flax plant is sacred to Siva. Baka, a kidney-shaped flower, is sacred to Vishnu. The flowers of Mimusops elengi are favourites for garlands. The Chrysanthemum Indicum has a favourite garland flower. Datura fastuosa is sacred to Siva. Christians in India largely use the flowers of the Tagetes erectum on Christmas day. Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis is sacred to Kali ; Jasminium pubescens is sacred to Vishnu ; Nerium odorum to Siva ; Nelumbium speciosum, the Indian lotus, is sacred to Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, and their consorts, Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati ; Nyctanthes arbor-tristis is sacred to Siva. The Buddhists make great offerings of flowers at their temples, but these are not used by the Buddhist priest for decking the person. The Mahomedans use them largely for laying over the tombs of their departed. The beautiful purple and fragrant Bignonia chelouoides is a pagoda flower ; the sweet-smelling Millingtonia hortensis, the cork tree ; and the Justicia, pieta is a shrub admired for its beautiful, variegated green and white leaves.
'Blessed be God for flowers !— For the bright, gentle, holy thoughts that breathe From out their odorous beauty, like a wreath Of sunshine on life's hours.' —Jatrrey; Ains. ; Ward's Hindoos ; Hardy, East ern Monachism ; D. L. Richardson.