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History In Egyptian Culture Lining the waters near the shores of the Nile River during the earliest Egyptian civilizations, the Egyptian Lotus can be traced back to 2400 B.C. as a central symbol in ancient Egyptian society. Here, the Egyptian Lotus found a variety of uses and became intertwined with legends primary to Egyptian cultural beliefs. Although extensive use and cultivation of the flower did not arrive until about 1400 B.C., the flower persevered in Egyptian culture for more than one thousand years. The symbolism and associations with rebirth, the afterlife, and creation legends may have originated from its odd behavior. The flower, each day, rises above the waters surface in the morning and submerges again at night. It is not difficult to understand why the ancient Egyptians may have been fascinated with these flowers. Thousands of these sky blue flowers ascending each morning, in unison, above the surface of the Nile River at sunrise were probably quite a sight to behold. It was the Egyptian stories of creation that brought the flower the majority of its fame. Despite several differing stories of creation, the Egyptian Lotus always played the same central role. In their stories of creation, the world was originally covered by water and darkness. Then, from beneath the water, a giant blue lotus emerged and opened its petals to reveal the Sun God, Ra. Ra ascended from the flower into the sky, emanating light that banished the darkness and created life. The presence of the Egyptian Lotus expanded far beyond the Egyptian creation theory. As a symbol of rebirth, the flower was believed to be a necessary tool to attain resurrection into the afterlife. It is for this reason that Egyptologists believe the flower became integrated into ceremonies for the dead. It is known to have been placed on the bodies of the ruling class. In 1922, when Tutankhamen's (1336 - 1327 B.C.) tomb was opened, petals from the Egyptian Lotus were found scattered in deliberate patterns over his mummified remains. Several other mummies from that period, including that of Ramses II, have been discovered with wreaths made from the petals of the flower. The ubiquitous cultural presence of the Egyptian Lotus is largely understood through the hieroglyphic history and art that the Egyptians left behind. The flower, with its narrow, blue, pointed petals and round leaves is extensively depicted on monuments, pillars, public buildings, murals, and pottery. The most intriguing legacy from this era is the use of the flower in wine and food. The Egyptians are believed to have originated the practice of mixing the flower with wine. The flower, possibly for this reason, was extensively used like a spice in bread and other foods and drinks. Use of the flower in this manner is perhaps the reason Egyptian Lotus has continued to find an audience for more than three thousand years. In Other Cultures In South Africa, throughout the 1800's, the Cape Malays and other farming communities in the Cape harvested the Egyptian Lotus. They ate the entire plant including the roots, either raw or in curries. If you have information in this area that others may find helpful, you may contribute it here. |
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