RE: Contest - week 5 - “Share and comment on your image.” Winner week 4
This is red water lily, locally known as Shapla which is more than just a beautiful flower. It holds a deep cultural and emotional connection for Bangladesh since it is the national flower of the country. It floats gracefully on calm waters and represents purity, resilience, and the quiet strength of nature.
What makes Shapla truly special is its harmony between beauty and utility. Beyond its visual charm, it is a part of traditional Bengali cuisine. It is enjoyed by many as a nutritious and beloved food. This rare combination of aesthetic elegance and everyday relevance makes the flower even more meaningful.
Seeing this flower instantly reminds the images of rural Bangladesh, peaceful ponds, and a simple life which is closely connected to nature. This is not just a flower, but a symbol of identity, heritage, and tradition. It’s a reminder that some of the most powerful symbols are rooted in simplicity and authenticity.
We have the water lily as well but most flowers are white/yellow or light pink. I once kept one in my aquarium but unfortunately the fishes didn't take good care of it.
Sorry to hear that. I kept my fishes in the money plant jar but unfortunately they couldn’t survive....So I keep them apart now... However, we also have the white, yellow and light pink species. And this red one is seen less than the others here too.
What type of fish do you keep?
I kept small fishes like gold fish (though their color was red and mix of white)... I Don't know their exact name actually... That was the first time I had something as a pet! And it was quite shocking for me that I couldn’t have more days with them....after several months, I got two budgerigars... Now I play with them....
Btw what are your fishes?
I believe those gold with white are also gold fishes just a bit different. I checked and they don't live in the wild.
I had and have tropical ones, said not difficult to keep but I have one bully who chases every fish out of the aquarium.
I am not sure if you can see this site but many you see here I had
https://www.aquariumvissenwinkel.nl/
The bully I still have is what we call a "sherry barbeel"
https://www.aquariumvissenwinkel.nl/zoetwater-vissen/barbelen
Now I think about an aquarium with just plants and who knows goldfish because they survive in cold water which wouldn't make them that vulnerable for the cold and if the electricity is shut off.
Wow....I just visited the site...I actually love the color combination of the bully one....At first when I didn’t read the names, I in fact liked this one most...BTW all others are also very impressive... Lucky to have them...and yes I'm not sure about the aquarium with plant only....I am scared of this issue actually...
If I decided what to do I keep you updated. I saw some cool videos of a man using old aquarium, soil of his garden. He even placed one in the window ceiling with lots of light. It took him 6 months to stabilize it and make it look great. For every issue and disease he searched for a natural solution (some fish or snails). If you ask me these are the best since nature is in balance.
Wow, what a surprise! You had a flower of this same species, how lucky!
I imagine it is a very expensive flower to acquire, in your city?
I have heard and read about this flower. I like how they release it on the surface of the water and then it springs up with so much glamour.
I imagine it is an Asian plant because where I have seen it is in documentaries from China.
Yes, you’re absolutely right. It is indeed an Asian aquatic flower and is found in many parts of Asia, including China, India, and Bangladesh. What you described is one of its most fascinating traits, how it gently rests on the water and then rises with such natural elegance.
It is very emotional and exciting to have these beauties that nature gives us and especially distinguishes the regions with their beautiful rarities.
I love these flowers and their colors.
Thank you for your participation and all the information you have presented to us regarding it.
You're most welcome. And of course thanks to you for arranging such a contest where I could share our heritage to the world.
Thank you for your support.
Such a great flower and entry!
Thank you so much. This flower is really magnificent and the meadowland looks great in the morning when thousands of flowers are bloomed.
You are so lucky, you have a meadow filled with them. I wonder how come they grow in the meadow since we have them grow in water.
Haha...I understand your thought...I should have been more clear earlier because it’s watery meadowland..
A super creative day/week
🍀♥️
@ wakeupkitty