A Full-time Life

PEACE IN THE GARDEN

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When we visited Naples Botanical Gardens last Tuesday, a group was learning to make mandalas from fallen flower petals.   Although we didn't take part in the activity, I found that  gazing at the arrangements and making photographs were meditative experiences in themselves.

We went to the Gardens to see the Origami Sculptures that are on display this month.  

And of course to enjoy the flowers.

 

 

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The tower of cranes in the  center was created by sculptors Kevin and Jennifer Box.   Called "MasterPeace", it was inspired by the Japanese “Senbazuru," the act of creating one thousand origami cranes within a single year as a wish for peace, long life and good health.  Five hundred of the thousand cranes they created are scattered around the world as individual sculptures.  The other 500 are gathered together here in this 25-foot tall monument.  (All one thousand cranes are represented as together through the reflection in the pond.)

 

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The single white crane is a symbol of peace and also a symbol of the spirit or soul.

 

 

 

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Botanical Gardens always make me feel good …

and on this visit, the hopeful symbolism of the origami cranes and of the mandalas was a beautiful bonus.

Someday in this world I hope our wish for peace comes true.

 

 

Linking to:  ALL SEASONS; MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES;  FLORAL BLISS; and OUR WORLD on Tuesday.  Thank you to all of the hosts.

 

 

 


 

We appreciate all visitors and commenters! Thank you.

65 responses to “PEACE IN THE GARDEN”

  1. ann

    Like the white crane, as a child, we are taught to make crane origamy.

  2. Gattina

    They look absolutely beautiful these mandelas ! I also love to walk through a botanical garden !

  3. Marleen

    The flowers are beautiful, and I love that sculpture!

  4. NatureFootstep

    beautiful flowers ans I love the Origami sculptures 🙂 Thanks for sharing them.
    Hope you had a great Easter.

  5. Judy Biggerstaff

    Beautiful images of your visit to the gardens. Your pictures are just stunning. I love taking pics of flowers.

  6. Jim

    Great

  7. Linja

    Beautiful shots and the collage is stunning!

  8. ak-ut

    amazing – and getting much more important these days!
    happy week 🙂

  9. artmusedog and carol

    What a beautiful post with those dynamic colorful flowers and origami and wonderful collage of photos ~ thanks,
    Wishing you a peaceful week ~ ^_^

  10. Tammie

    Making a mandala from fallen bits sounds like good fun. Your photos are lovely, such beautiful flowers. I also love visiting gardens.

  11. Judy@CranberryMorning

    Wow, that tower of cranes is amazing! Must have been lovely to visit the botanical gardens. Beautiful photos!

  12. Sylvia D.

    Sallie, Thanks for sharing the flowers and cranes from the botanical garden. Have a great day. Sylvia D.

  13. Su-sieee! Mac

    I find peace in taking photos of flowers, too. Creating mandalas out of flower petals is intriguing, which I shall go look up. Cheers to a creative and peaceful week, Sallie.

  14. Rajesh

    Very beautiful origami sculptures.

  15. Lorrie

    Lovely photos, Sallie. The crane sculpture is so very unique. Peace is something this broken world is sadly in need of, more now than ever, it seems.

  16. Klara S

    Beautiful photos. The tower of cranes looks impressive.

  17. pam

    I love the structure in the center….wow, that is neat. I have always wanted to do a large welded project for my backyard. Never got it done but I was able to learn to weld to make a couple of smaller pieces. Loving the flowers. This time of yr when all is blooming is a wonder time.

  18. riitta k

    Beautiful photos all of these!

  19. nancy chan

    The sculpture of cranes is beautiful. Love the water lilies. Have a beautiful day!

  20. Snap

    Sallie, what a beautiful post! I love mandalas of any kind and the crane tower is amazing. Wonderful story, too. Happy Monday! Peace……

  21. Maggie

    Beautiful mandalas, creating such a lovely decoration from leaves and petals must be almost like meditating, so peaceful and calm. I would love to try my hand at making one.
    The crane tower is just wonderful, I love the fact that the reflection creates a tower of 1000 cranes.
    In these troubled times we need to concentrate more on peaceful things and turn away from fighting.
    Thank you for bringing the beauty of Senbazuru to Mosaic Monday today.

  22. Phil Slade

    Hi Sallie. I’d never heard of Senbazuru but I do know that the japanese celebrate their spring in a special way. Cranes and the spring blossom is very important in their culture. Let’s all hope that peace prevails and that we appreciate the important things on Earth.

  23. Bob

    A beautiful article, the flowers are fantastic.

  24. Fun60

    That crane tower is fantastic and I like the symbolism of it. To have peace in our time is a sentiment we all share but fear it will never happen.

  25. DeniseinVA

    Your photos of the flowers and sculptures are fantastic Sallie. I will have to remember Naples has a Botanical garden the next time we are there.

  26. Lady Fi

    What a peaceful place! And lovely shots. If only everyone could feel such serenity no matter where they lived… Have a wonderful week!

  27. https://artworksfromjeshstg.wordpress.com/2016/09/28/santa-barbara-and-sorts/

    Love the (last) white origami crane sculpture – so elegant and artfully done! Waterlilies in themselves are so peaceful to look at:) Sorry your linky didn’t turn out – whenever that happens you can do a second try (you don’t have to ask me – i know you probably were traveling) – if you do, I’ll delete your first try… Have a lovely week, dear Sally!

  28. Linda

    Beautiful post and photos, Sallie! And that crane is quite impressive! Thank you so much for sharing, and Happy Easter to you.

  29. Martha

    That is a very impressive crane. I’ve made some simple ones. At the Manzanar Internment camp there is a monument and people often leave origami cranes there. A sad blot on our history.

  30. Clair Z.

    Sallie, thank you so much for sharing this. I love the flowers, the cranes, the reflections, and the peacefulness. Happy Easter and happy springtime beauty everywhere.

  31. Ela

    Beautiful spring photos !!
    Happy Easter !!

  32. JennJilks

    Asian art is so interesting!

  33. Chandra

    Hi Sallie-
    Beautiful places, creations and thoughts.
    The floral mandalas are peace-inducing aren’t they?
    Have a Happy Easter!
    Peace 🙂

  34. Villroses hage

    Beautiful! Beautiful!

  35. Lowell

    Your post calmed my “soul.” Thanks for these gorgeous photos. If only peace were as easy to come by as mandalas. Have a great day!

  36. Al

    So many beautiful flowers. We could still get snow where I live!

  37. Penelope Puddlisms

    I went through a stage of creating artistic designs using flower petals and leaves of all sorts … it can become an all-absorbing hobby and keeps life focused on the positive. The crane is so lovely and a very impressive work of art … very inspiring in a world that is crying for peace. Thanks for showing us this. Happy Easter Sunday, Sallie, to you and yours!

  38. Carol

    What a beautiful post, I wish I had a crane sculpture in my yard. Wishing you peace.

  39. Gordon

    What a beautiful and colourful post, I too like visiting Botanicle gardens.
    Take care Gordon.

  40. Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin'

    Such beautiful surroundings Sallie!
    So grab your magic carpet and fly to Port A with me…I am not an official bird guide, but I will gladly go birding with you any day.
    Happy Easter.

  41. Stewart M

    We would be making ours from fallen leaves – some of the street trees are taking on colour now – and our apple trees look rather good!
    Cheers – Stewart M – Melbourne

  42. Sara - My Woodland Garden

    So beautiful and very interesting!
    Happy Easter, Sallie! <3

  43. Gaelyn

    I’m seeing more images lately of beautiful flower petal mandalas. Those, along with the peace of the origami tower are spectacular. I have to believe in peace.

  44. Yogi

    This is great. I love how the 1000 cranes are illustrated by the reflection of the 500. I love stuff like that.
    Yep, we hope and pray for peace.

  45. Amy

    What a lovely tranquil place, I never got into origami etc as Im a little clumsy.

  46. Sondra

    Amazing talent! The flowers look really fresh to be fallen flowers. It’s very had to find inner peace with all the nasty happenings of this era, but we must keep hope alive. Enjoy your Easter day!

  47. ellen b

    I love strolling through botanical gardens, too. You found some pretty things. Happy Easter!

  48. Eileen

    Hello, beautiful images and flowers from your garden visit. The cranes are cool. Love the crane tower. Happy weekend and Happy Easter to you!

  49. Hazel

    This is lovely, especially the tower of cranes! A very appropriate Easter Blog!
    Happy Easter to you both!

  50. Penny

    Oh how I enjoyed seeing these photos this morning, Sallie. I love the crane tower and the spirit it evokes. It would be an uplifting adventure to try to find the crane sculptures scattered around. Peace and blessings to you, Sallie.

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