Lotus Season

On Sunday, we attempted to walk around People's Park in the heart of the city of Shanghai. Due to the incredible level of humidity and heat, we reconsidered and left it for another day. Since yesterday was slightly less humid and hot, I decided to venture to the park by myself. Just two subway stops away from the temple station nearest to the hotel, it is a matter of a few minutes to travel to the park. Built on an old raceway, the park is well landscaped and contains quiet alcoves for sitting quietly in the shade, cement tables for playing cards and other games, and lots of paths to walk around. There is an amusement park section where the young children rode giant fibreglass chickens and rockets. There was even a small fishing pond for the aspiring fishermen and women to try and capture small goldfish with bamboo rods.

Yesterday, the gem of this park was the pond. Unbeknownst to me, July is lotus season and so the pond was very busy with locals and tourists armed with large and small digital cameras trying to capture from all angles the beauty of the flowers and foliage. The lotus flower is charged with symbolism for China and many other asian countries. Here, it is said to hold the same importance as the cherry blossom time in Japan. It represents purity, fruitfulness and creative power. Because it has its roots in the muddy, murky bottoms of ponds and rises above the water to bloom, it is also said to be the inspiration to rise above the dark moments in life. Many people choose the lotus as a tattoo to symbolize the successful passing through a difficult time. It is often depicted as the seat for Buddha, and is the name of the seated position in yoga. The lotus, nelumbium nelumbo, is the flower for July in China.

Here is my attempt at capturing some images of the pond at People's Park: