I think the frangipani is a beautiful flower. But did you know that, in Southeast Asia, it is a flower associated with the pontianak, which is Malay for vampire? Ever since I was a kid, I have heard stories, and the most common one goes like this: If you're walking alone by yourself, late at night, and you get a sudden whiff of the sweet scent of the frangipani, and then hear someone calling to you from behind, never, NEVER, EVER turn around.
Speaking of spooky tales, according to the lunar calendar, it is now the seventh month, which is also popularly known as the Hungry Ghosts Festival. It is observed by the Chinese population. During the seventh month, the gates of hell open and ghosts and spirits are free to wander. People burn incense and make offerings to these "good brothers" to promote a harmonious atmosphere, so that the month will pass without incident.
There are many taboos to be observed. People avoid getting married during this month, or moving into a new home, and will make it a point not to stay out past midnight. Sometimes, live singing shows are staged. (Many years ago, it used to be Chinese opera.) If you go to one, you'll notice that the first row of seats are always left empty. You should never try to sit in any of them. Why? Because they are meant for the spirits.
Gorgeous shot but I loved the commentary having never heard that before.
I enjoy a good vampire story. Hungry Ghosts sounds like All Hallow's Eve - Halloween. But that is just one night - not a month long celebration.
@cdonohoue The greatest difference between the Hungry Ghosts Festival and Halloween is probably one of mood. It's a somber mood here, because everyone is diligent about not drawing the attention or ire of the wandering spirits. No one refers to them as "ghosts" or "spirits" but as "the good brothers", because it's a more respectful term. If someone accidentally disturbs the offerings left by the roadside for the spirits, one would apologize, and say "I'm sorry" in a serious tone.
Love to hear about life in different parts of the world! Very interesting traditions, I love how respectful they (you?) are to other-worldly spirits and that there is such a bond between this world and the next in asian cultures!
Do you know I never knew frangipani was a flower! I adore the smell so goodness knows where I imagined the oil to come from! Superstitions are a strange old being aren't they?
Beautiful pov, would love to see a full one
I do love macro work. It's amazing what we don't see with the naked eye. Until I read other folks' comments, I didn't know about its alternate name. Thanks for sharing the story too.
Very interesting bit of culture and taboo mix; there are countless in Nigeria, mostly ghost or voodoo related, which naturally scared the living heck out of me as a kid!!! Lovely closeup and crop!!
Love the photo and pov! Stunning clarity and colors. Like no other that I've seen. I love this and it wouldn't "scare" me at all. Quite the story tho .. every country has their superstitions, I guess.
Awesome capture Livia! I love them and their smell goes right to mu soul. Does that mean anything? It is so very strange that we have the same traditions about marriages and moving house and any big steps in the month of August. I wonder if there is a connection... will look into it though . Lovely story and stunning shot!
Beautiful - really love the colors and the soft look of the image. After reading the very interesting caption the flower looks a bit melancholic :-). Vampires and flowers - what a combination.
Such a wonderful story - and such a delightful picture of it, I love those tiny hairs deep in the middle! And the gentle colours remind me of its scent. Though I am NEVER going to look over my shoulder!
Lovely shot Livia. I love frangipanis - they remind me of my grandmother's place; and a house I had while I was in uni. Good times. Love the crop of this too - highlighting the most interesting part of the flower for me.
Wow, all of that ... and from a frangipani! Never heard any of that before. Did you know there's now a climbing frangipani?? I had to buy it when I saw it in Bunnings a while back lol. The flowers are supposed to be the same!
Ooh ok little bit scaredy now! I adore frangipanis, they don't grow near me, I have to go to Queensland to see them, their scent is divine. I won't be walking past them at night tho', no way, I've been warned. ;)
Interesting traditions....thanks for sharing!! I need to keep my eyes (and nostrils) open ;-) I googled frangipani and discovered they are quite prolific here in Florida. I probably pass them every day and don't know what they are. I need to remember to heed your warnings for sure!
A great, big, soft, pretty and sweetly scented "THANK YOU!" to everyone for stopping by! I hope I didn't give anyone nightmares with the stories. I want to thank you for your support. Without it, I wouldn't still be here. Got to finish this project!
interesting how similar the folklores are but it shouldn't come as a surprise because our people came from the same thread. i've never heard of frangipani relating to all the ghoulish stories though. although there were a lot of those trees in the cemetery, and i would know because i grew up next to one and i used to play on top of tombs. in our native language frangipani is calachuchi, which had since become a slang for a mistress. hmmm...bloodsuckers...hmmm...now that makes sense. :-)
btw, this might have been extinct now in the old country, didn't see any whilst i was there last year. i love the softness you've captured here. very nice.
I also know the frangipani from West Africa - it's one of my favourite flowers, but I never knew the association with vampires. I love the scent but I will be careful in future if I smell it at night! This is a lovely picture that has brought back happy memories.
I am so glad I clicked on this lovely little flower this morning. what I have learned................................ I agree with Lorena, the yellow bleeds into the white, really cool.
Beautiful. Like a painting. I could have faved so many of your shots in the last 20 minutes, but this is the one for me, because of the skill in the shot.+F
Beautiful capture. Great color and composition. Like the tale. Since I don't know what frangipani smells like, I guess I'd make a nice vampire snack.
As for the front row, strangely, I do something similar. Whenever I go out for a drink...which is rare these days, I never finish the glass. Always leave a good bit on the bottom for the dead in case their thirsty. Odd right?
I enjoy a good vampire story. Hungry Ghosts sounds like All Hallow's Eve - Halloween. But that is just one night - not a month long celebration.
The perfume is so sweet and heady too.
The composition and the delicate looking flower is......beautiful.
Beautiful pov, would love to see a full one
Wow, all of that ... and from a frangipani! Never heard any of that before. Did you know there's now a climbing frangipani?? I had to buy it when I saw it in Bunnings a while back lol. The flowers are supposed to be the same!
Again, thank you!
As for the front row, strangely, I do something similar. Whenever I go out for a drink...which is rare these days, I never finish the glass. Always leave a good bit on the bottom for the dead in case their thirsty. Odd right?