Buzz
Lotus flowers in Da Lat hold tales of sorrow and mystery. What significance do these flowers carry? Dive into the intriguing stories surrounding this special flora in the article below.
Lotus flowers are intertwined with tales of sorrow and enigmatic legends, serving as a distinctive emblem of Da Lat in the eyes of visitors from all corners of the globe. Those who venture into the misty city are deeply impressed by this unique bloom. In today's article, Mytour invites you to explore the fascinating narratives surrounding lotus flowers in Da Lat.
What do you know about lotus flowers?
The Mystery Surrounding the Existence of Spider Lily Flowers
Spider lilies, scientifically known as Lycoris Radiata, go by various names such as Red Spider Lily, Hurricane Lily, Surprise Lily, Magic Lily, and more. This perennial herbaceous plant stands at a height ranging from 40 to 100 cm. Its distinctive feature lies in the clusters of striking blooms.
Spider lilies come in two types: white spider lilies and red spider lilies, with the latter being more common. White spider lilies, also known as Hurricane Lilies, while red spider lilies boast an enchanting name - Hell Flower. The blooming time of this flower is quite precise. Three days before and after the autumnal equinox are called Autumn Spider Lily, and three days before and after the vernal equinox are called Spring Spider Lily.
Spider lilies grow densely together, their flower stems extending from the ground, with each cluster consisting of 5 - 7 buds, spreading in all directions upon blooming. A notable feature is that when the plant flowers, the leaves cease to grow, and where there are leaves, there are no flowers. Hence, the leaves and flowers of spider lilies never meet.
5-Day 4-Night Tour from Hanoi to Nha Trang and Da Lat
Rumors of Poisonous Spider Lily Flowers?
Spider lilies are often spotted on hillsides, riverbanks, along roadsides, and abundantly in cemeteries. The bulb of this plant is highly toxic as it contains lycorine - a neurotoxin. Legend has it that some people met their demise by consuming the bulb of this flower when hungry. Perhaps that's why, in ancient times, the Japanese people disliked spider lilies, believing they symbolize death and mourning.
The Legend of Spider Lily Flowers
The First Legend
Folklore has it that spider lilies are flowers of the underworld, often blooming beside the Vong Xuyen Lake in the Underworld. The flowers are as red as blood, lining the path from the mortal realm to hell. According to legend, the scent of the flowers can evoke memories of the deceased's earthly life. When the soul passes through the Vong Xuyen, it forgets all memories of the mortal realm, leaving everything behind on the spider lilies. Spider lilies guide and comfort the wandering souls on their journey back to the spiritual realm. They serve as dwellings for the departed souls. Therefore, during the blooming days of spider lilies, mortals can enter the underworld - where they may reunite with their ancestors. For the Japanese, this is also a time for visiting and tidying up the graves of the deceased.
The Second Legend
Spider lilies,
A Thousand Years of Blooming Flowers
A Thousand Years of Withered Flowers,
Flowers and leaves forever apart”
Not only associated with the realm of Vong Xuyen, spider lilies are also linked to another sorrowful legend that brings tears to people's eyes. It is said that there is a special flower called Spider Lily Flower. Protecting the Spider Lily Flower are two elves named Mạn Châu and Sa Hoa. They have been guarding the Spider Lily Flower for thousands of years, yet have never laid eyes on each other.
When this flower blooms, it hides its leaves; when it has leaves, it cannot meet the flower. Flowers and leaves can never meet. Mạn Châu and Sa Hoa, like the leaves and spider lily flowers, are forever like two parallel lines that can never intersect at the same point. Yet, they are passionately yearning for each other, enduring profound pain and suffering.
Due to overwhelming longing, Mạn Châu and Sa Hoa decided to secretly meet once, disregarding the rules of the divine. Knowing this, the gods reproached them heavily, punishing them with reincarnation and cursing them to never be together, enduring pain and suffering throughout countless lifetimes. Later on, Mạn Châu Sa Hoa only blooms on the path by the Vong Xuyen Lake, under the Nại Hà Bridge, guiding separated couples, and leading restless souls back into reincarnation to receive their karmic retribution.
The vibrant red spider lily petals bloom each season, resembling arms reaching out to the heavens in supplication. Every time Mạn Châu and Sa Hoa reincarnate and pass through the Vong Xuyen, they remember their past lives, vowing never to part again, yet still unable to escape the curse of separation.
►►► Explore the Enchanting Dreams of DA LAT ►►►
Symbolism of Spider Lily Flowers
This flower holds various symbolic meanings. Spider lilies are intertwined with the spiritual life of Asians, manifesting in poetry, art, and music. Many choose to ink spider lily tattoos onto their skin due to their admiration for the profound meaning and exquisite beauty of this flower. In each country, spider lilies are interpreted differently. For example:
-
China: symbolizes purity and elegance
-
Japan: represents painful memories
-
Korea: signifies longing for each other
Overall, when spider lilies are mentioned, people immediately think of separation, sorrow, omen, or death. Additionally, you can also explore the meaning of spider lilies from a Buddhist perspective. In Buddhism, the term 'spider lily' refers to the pure land in the Western Paradise, hence spider lilies are considered heavenly flowers. It is believed that seeing these flowers can help one avoid misfortune.
Spider Lily Flowers in Vietnam
Spider lilies have been cultivated in many parts of the world. In recent years, this flower has made its way to Vietnam and has gained popularity for its beauty and profound significance. You can easily grow spider lilies from bulbs to enhance your living space. When planting spider lilies, it's best to choose the late winter to early spring as the plants prefer shade and cannot tolerate high temperatures. However, if you have bulbs earlier, you can plant them in the summer, and with proper care, the plants will still thrive.
The soil for planting spider lily bulbs should be moist and loose. When planting, bury the bulbs 2/3 to 3/4 into the soil, ensuring a distance of at least 10cm between bulbs if planting multiple bulbs in one pot. Spider lilies can be grown in sunny areas, but plants grown in shade will bloom earlier than those exposed to direct sunlight. Throughout the growth process, make sure to water the spider lilies sufficiently to keep the soil moist, using a misting spray. When the plants are in full bloom, water them daily to prolong the flowering period.
In Vietnam, Da Lat is the best place to cultivate spider lilies. Da Lat enjoys a cool climate year-round, along with sloping terrain that facilitates water drainage, making it ideal for the growth of spider lilies. Therefore, spider lily flowers in Da Lat are gradually becoming a distinctive hallmark of this land, alongside hundreds of other flowers adorning the city on the plateau.
Discover more: 3-day 2-night Tour in Da Lat
Traveling to Da Lat, just visit the City Flower Park or stroll along the charming slopes to admire the beautiful spider lilies. Don't forget to capture memorable photos with these splendid Da Lat spider lilies and learn about their special significance! Contact Mytour for details on the cheapest all-inclusive Da Lat tours.
