Friday, December 11, 2009

Picture perfect - Three.

This was taken two summers ago. I let my children plant a few plants of their choice and take care of them.. This was the result of their efforts. 
Click on the Photo to see the bigger version.
Orange Poppies
 
 

The Number Three is considered a Divine Number. A number representing Balance. I grew up with Three hidden in most everything I did or said.
We had 3 meals a day(yes, I had to talk of food first). Before starting our meals we made three pinches(held between all the fingers) of food as an offering to all of our ancestors who came before us.
We circumambulated the temple 3 times. When we took the Aarthi(the offering of light) we circled our palms over the flame of the lamp three times. At the start of the daily prayers, we said OM 3 times and ended  the prayers with a Peace Shloka(Hymn) and we said -Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi- 3 times. Later I was told that it was meant as Shanthi in the Heavens, Shanthi on Earth and Shanthi in the world of transition/the land of the dead/underworld. When we talked of the important aspects of our Gods we spoke of Trimurthi(trinity) the Male aspects and the Tridevi, the female aspects. The triangle, represented Shiva, the Lord of renewal/destruction. The Six pointed star, with an upright and an inverted triangle represented the madala for a Balanced Meditative state, where the Mind is in harmony with the Divine.
When we touched our elders feet to seek blessings, we touched it three times.  At the time of Death, the dying person is given holy water from the Ganges or any of the Sapta Sindhu(the seven sacred rivers in Hinduism)in three sips.  When we spoke of giving our all for a cause, person or life, we meant the three aspects of our physical life - body,  mind and wealth. This was Me growing up as a Hindu.
As I learned/read more, I realized three holds significance in other religions/cultures too. The Christains have The Holy Trinity- The father, the son and the Holy spirit ; The Buddhists have the Three Jewels - Buddha, Dharma and Sangha; The Jews have the Three Patriachs - Abhraham, Issac and Jacob; Taoism has Three Pure Ones - from whom all of the universe came forth. The pure ones evolved from the interaction of Yin and Yang and the Yin and Yang evolved From Pure energy, the Qi/Chi.
In Cartesian Geometry we represent what we see in three dimensions. In Physics most of our laws are based on Three Dimensions.
The More I look around, the more I see that Three is a number loaded with Meanings.

34 comments:

Maggie ~ssb~ said...

How beautiful ... I love that you've shared an integral part of your heritage and beliefs. And the photo is simply gorgeous! Most inspiring entry ... Thank you! :)
Come say hello, if you wish ...
http://cachinnae.multiply.com/journal/item/221/121109_....._Picture_Perfect_....._THREE_.....

Frank Garcia said...

very nice

C * said...

Beautiful!

Lanie ~ said...

Beautiful picture.

Thanks for stopping by mine.

Frani ***** said...

Many thanks ... for sharing not only a lovley photo but also your beautiful story.

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fatos canborgil said...

Wonderful result of your Children's trial and thanks for sharing your traditions.

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si pia ay otes said...

interesting tradition :)
i love the photo too.

Wayne Ellis said...

Great photo

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Duchess Ronnie said...

Fabulous information Rashmi and I love the photo also.

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Virtual Ted said...

Beautiful shot and beautiful entry!

Thank you for your visit.

Three Tanuki

Susan H said...

There is the Celtic triple spiral as well - an appealing symbol

Giles Y Owen said...

Poppies?

You really are a mathematician.

Harriet Purkey said...

Wow! I didn't know 3 was such a big number!!!

Love those poppies! That color pops right out at you.

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Debby Van Enkenvoort said...

All encompassing and highly respectful. >>>tears<<< I love this entry! truly beautiful!


Picture Perfect ~ Three

Mindsnomad Yay said...

Yes there is... We use that symbol(before I even knew that it was Celtic in its origins) within the Designs of Rangoli- the Indian version of Sand Painting with Rice powder and clay.

Mindsnomad Yay said...

Yes, Poppies.. we planted two varieties the Red and the Orange, the Orange looked most loveliest.
Not a Mathematician, the subject holds my interest though until it gets to Higher Math like Vector Calculus and then it goes over my head.

Mindsnomad Yay said...

Thank you All for the Kind comments.. Glad you enjoyed this entry.:)

Empress Selena said...

How interesting! I had no idea. The picture of course is beautiful!

Empress S's PP "3"

dp ♥ said...

I believe there is something special about the number three! the flowers are just lovely (I posted three for mine PP as well)
Thank you for sharing the three energy with us!

Lyn C said...

Very interesting commentary, lovely flowers

Picture Perfect Three.jpg

Initiative Stain said...

Very nice Rashmi...

Lynda H said...

I like it.
To see my 2+1=3
http://mrsrh.multiply.com/journal/item/277 and then the bog story with photos behind the scene of my entry. http://mrsrh.multiply.com/journal/item/279

Wendy From Louisiana said...

we were thinking on the same lines! LOL
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Danielle F said...

They are beautiful, I love the color. I liked reading what you wrote too!
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Sharon Mahoney-Lecouteur said...

Very interesting and also a lovely photo !!!

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tracy marshall said...

They glow, don't they, gorgeous! And a wonderful post

Chocolat NY said...

great post... and lovely pic to go with it!

Mitchy LR said...

Lovely shot, love the glowing orange colours :-))

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DJ D said...

Good shot.

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Joanne XxXxX said...

Beautiful shot, and a very interesting narrative.
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Karen G. said...

Beautiful flowers and what a wonderful way to help your children to learn to love gardening.

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Rose Blanco said...

Gorgeous. Very interesting on the number three too!

Tina Burton said...

Wow, very interesting Rashmi. Thanks.

Madhavan . said...

""The More I look around, the more I see that Three is a number loaded with Meanings"". Is that the reason you have 3 muskateers at home??LOL