Peruvian Pinks; Sacred Flower of the Incas

Traveling in Peru I came across this sweet delicate flower, Latin name Cantua buxifolia, however, it has the grand title of "Sacred Flower of the Incas"!  It comes in a variety of bright and vibrant colours, I represented the majority with these pinks, yellows and peachy-oranges.  I'm pleased to of finished this works here in Cusco where it decorates the streets and the locals hang the flowers like a lei across the doorways of some ceremonial locations.  Starting in Lima, it has taken 6 weeks to feel '"finished", I went very slowly with this as I was spending a lot of time getting to know the city of Lima through learning about ancient cultures here in museums then took a bus tour for a week through Paracus, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa and Colca Canyon.  Finally, I also had about 5 days off visiting Sacred Valley, I will be revisiting that area come October.

This flower is also the national flower of Peru and one of the national flowers of Bolivia. It is more commonly known as Quanu here in Cusco.  The Incas were so amazed at the bright colours that they dedicated it to the sun, their god.  It is used in rituals similar to having a carpet of flowers, like our own wedding ceremonies.  It is also used in the warachicuy, a coming of age ritual.   In the beginning of the twentieth century the flower was commonly used for funeral ceremonies.  People had the belief that the dead, during their journey to the other world, could calm their thirst by drinking the nectar that the flower has inside. 

In an area I am journeying to in 3 days, Lake Titicaca, the women of the islands who are single, maintain the tradition of wearing a cap that takes the form of a cantuta flower.  In this way, during the various celebrations, the youths have no trouble figuring out who are the young, unmarried women they can court.  I look forward to seeing this soon!

The cantuta also is said to have medicinal properties.  People say it fights diarrhea when its stem of leaves are taken as infusions, as well as cough, jaundice, and inflammation of the eyes.  Its thin branches are used to make baskets and a yellow dye can come from its leaves.

A simple, delicate and gorgeous flower found all over Peru, I am happy I chose this "magical" plant to portray; it is also known as magic-flower, magic-tree, magic-flower of the Incas & flor de Inca. 

I got creative here with the sky, intoning a variety of different weather patterns I have had here during my Peruvian time; greys, turquoise, thunder storms, misty clouds and bright sunshine!