India has always been exalted and remembered fondly as the country of symbolic colors. The symbolism of color stands out and controls every aspect of life in India, be it religion, politics, festivals, or celebrations. In India, be it the north, south, west, or east, color and culture go hand in hand. Flowers in India are no exception. Here is a sample of the traditional deep orange and yellow color combination in a flower.
Lotus is the national flower of India. It is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture since time immemorial.
Here is a lotus flower with its reflection in a pond ….
Spirituality has been a big part of Savannah’s culture since the city was founded in 1733. Whether you want to attend a service, dive into history, see incredible art or experience architecture, there’s a little something for everyone at Savannah’s historic churches.
The water feature at BAPS Temple in Atlanta, Georgia is decorated with a row of elephant sculptures.
In India the elephant is a symbol for power, dignity, intelligence and peace. Elephants in Hinduism and the Indian Culture are a symbol of intellectual strength, and sturdy earthy mental strength. Elephants, in general, symbolize the qualities of wisdom, strength, courage, longevity, patience, honor, and stature.
Row of Elephants at the Temple
Each state in India has different clothing styles conforming to its culture. The common element is that people wear colorful clothes in not only everyday life, but especially for festivals.
A couple of girls from Gujarat are dressed colorfully for a folk dance performance. Flowers in the background complement their color scheme!
Colorful Dancers
Ecuador – Head Shrinking Process
This is less about photography and more about a fascinating history of culture.
The Jivaro clan who lived deep in the Ecuadorian, and neighboring Peruvian Amazon. were known for the ancient practice of shrinking human heads. Most Jivaro Indians considered any victory over the enemy as incomplete if they were unable to return without one or more enemy heads as trophies. More importantly, the reason behind shrinking the heads was to paralyze the spirit of the enemy attached to the head so that it cannot escape and take revenge upon the murderer.
The above composite panorama shot at the Inti Nan Museum outside Quito depicts the process of shrinking the heads.
Photos by Ravi 