The Flowers of the Divine ( Takay flowers and lotus flowers ) In Bicol Mythology

Flowers of the Divine

Throughout history, flowers have been an integral part of cultural traditions and rituals in various civilizations. Offerings of flowers to the gods are deeply rooted in ancient religious practices, passed down through generations as sacred customs and rituals.

Flowers are often associated with gods and goddesses in Bicol mythology.

Flowers are believed to possess spiritual energy and symbolism, making them powerful conduits for connecting with the divine realm. In religious ceremonies and rituals, flowers are used as sacred offerings to establish a spiritual connection with the gods, seeking their guidance, protection, and favor.

 Flowers are inherently beautiful and vibrant, symbolizing the beauty and vitality of life. In  Bicol mythologies and mythd in general, flowers represent the essence of creation and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. They are seen as manifestations of nature's abundance and the eternal cycle of existence. each flower is associated with specific qualities and virtues. 

Overall, the association of flowers with the old gods in myths, folklore and legends reflects humanity's profound reverence for nature, the divine, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Flowers serve as powerful symbols of spiritual devotion, beauty, and the eternal cycle of life and renewal.

Bulan Bicolano god of the Moon

Bulan, the Bicolano god of the Moon, is strongly associated with the Takay flowers and lotus flowers. The takay flower was the gift of the lunar god to the people of Bikol. While the lotus is the divine providence reminding the people of Ibalong to be good and kindhearted to one another. The lotus, which is associated with Bulan, symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and rebirth. Bikolano people were stunned with its ability to dip into the grime and revive itself unscathed (like the way Bulan took a dip in the monster-infested waters of Ibalong)—an incredible daily cycle of life, death, and a sudden immaculate rebirth (the rebirth from primordial moon to the pubescent god) that can only be described as spiritual. The lotus is symbolic of purity of the body, speech, and mind, as while rooted in the mud, its flowers blossom on long stalks as if floating above the muddy waters of attachment and desire. It is also symbolic of detachment, as drops of water easily slide off its petals.

Onos the Bicolano deity who freed the great flood that changed the land's features
Onos the god of Storm and Deluge

ONOS Bikolano god of Storms and deluge plays a great role in the mythology surrounding the Takay flowers. The story Onos revolves around his forbidden love for a mortal maiden named Takay. Ignoring the warnings of the lunar deity Bulan, Onos descended from his realm to proclaim his love, only to be rejected by Takay in favor of another, Kanaway. Enraged, Onos sought to destroy Kanaway and, in the process, unleashed his fury upon Mt. Asog, transforming it into Lake Buhi. Despite efforts by the lunar gods Haliya and Bulan to intervene, Onos' wrath proved unstoppable, resulting in the demise of colonies and kingdoms, including the drowning of his beloved Takay.

The Takay Flowers are symbolic of love, loss, and hope. The Tacay Flowers of Takay, the water Hyacinth, hold the symbolism of purity, virtue, and the restoration of the soul. These elegant blooms can convey the feeling of longing for someone who has passed away, representing a yearning to be reunited in a realm beyond this world.

Takay: Takay was a lovely maiden who, according to legend, drowned during the great flood. Takay is believed to have become the water hyacinth in what is now Lake Bato

Ang Alamat ng Takay (kwentong Bikol salin sa wikang Filipino)

Noong lumang panahon sa malayong lupain na kung tawagin ay Ibalong isang diyos sa himpapawid na si Onos ay maynamasdang magandang dilag. Siya si Takay. Mayumi, maganda at kaayaya si Takay. Mula sa kaintaasan minahal ni Onos ang dalaga. Lumipas ang mga taon, namukadkad ang kagandahan ni Takay. Lalong umalab ang pagnanais at pag-ibig ni Onos. Lingid sa kaalaman ni Onos na ang dalagang si Takay ay mayroon nang sinisinta. Ang binatang si Kanaway. Mabait, maaruga at maasikaso si Kanaway. Mahal na mahal ni Takay at Kanaway ang isat-isa. Kapag nag tatagpo si Takay at Kanaway ay inuutusan ni Onos ang mga ulap na umulan, upang hadlangan ang pag kikita ng magkasintahan. Kabaliktaran ang naganap, dahil sa ulan, magkasamang sumisilong si Takay at Kanaway, lalo silang nagkalapit at nagmahalan.

Galit na galit at punong puno ng pag iimbot ang diyos na si Onos. Ang pait at inggit na kangyang nararamdaman ay di na niya mapigilan. Nagpaulan at tinawag niya ang malakas na hanging. Pinakawalan niya ang buong lakas ng unos at daluyong.

 Habang bumabagyo ay tinahak ni Kanaway ang daan patungo kay Takay. Walang makakapigil sa binatang umiibig makita lamang ang kanyang sinisinta. Napuno ng galit si Onos. Ninakaw niya ang kidlat mula sa langit at pinatamaan si Kanaway. Ang binata ay Naging bato ito. Lalong nangalaiti si Onos at binato nya ang mga kidlat sa bundok Asog, sa maraming ulit na pag pukol ni Onos gamit ang kidlat sa bundok Asog itoy naguho at naging lawa, lalong tumindi ang daluyong at ang ulan. Ang dalagang si Takay na naghihintay kay kanaway ay nalunod.

Humupa ang ulan at ang gabi ay gumagat sa lunod na lupain ng Ibalong. Nahunos at naawa ang diyos ng Buwan sa kanyang nakita, lubog ang kalupaan. Mula sa kalangitan natanaw niya ang mga pangyayari. Bumaba ang diyos ng buwan sa Ibalong, nakita niya ang bangkay ng kaawa-awang dalaga na yakap-yakap ng mga halaman. Nahabag ang diyos ng Buwan na si Bulan. Gamit ang busilak liwanag ay ginawa niyang napaka gandang mga bulak-lak tubig ang dalagang si Takay. Sing ganda at kaayaaya ang mga bulaklak ng tubig. Lumipas ang maraming tao at laganap ang magandang bulaklak ng Takay. Alaala ng kasawian at pag-ibig magandang dilag. 

Takay

THE SUN AND THE MOON (kwentong Bicol)

 

Adlaw and Bulan

THE MOON AND THE SUN

 In the vast celestial ocean, where the stars dance and the moonlight weaves its magic, Adlao, the robust and radiant sun god, engaged in playful revelry with his brother, the fair and luminous Bulan. Their celestial games unfolded, filling the cosmic expanse with joy, until Adlao's temperament soured, wearied by the playful antics of his mischievous brother.

Undeterred by Adlao's changing mood, Bulan continued to tease the sun god until he was consumed by frustration. The clash between the two celestial beings erupted in a celestial symphony of disagreement. In the fiery midst of their celestial discord, Adlao's mighty club struck one of Bulan's eyes, dimming its once radiant gleam. Now, only one eye could emit light, while Adlao retained both his radiant eyes, shining even brighter than before.

The consequences of their celestial clash linger in the night sky to this day. Bulan transformed into the moon that graces our nocturnal tapestry, while Adlao became the sun that bathes the world in daylight. The enchanting feud between them explains why the moon's glow appears more subdued compared to the sun's radiant brilliance.

The cosmic tale unfolds with Adlao persistently pursuing Bulan across the celestial canvas. Despite Adlao's less nimble strides and muscular build, he tirelessly chases the more agile and slender Bulan. The celestial pursuit endures, a timeless dance between day and night, with Adlao chuckling in amusement as he passes over the flattened cut arm of Bulan. Meanwhile, Bulan laments the injury but cannot halt, fearing Adlao's relentless capture.

The cosmic chase, a majestic spectacle in the vast celestial ocean, symbolizes our eternal cycle of day and night. Daytime graces us as Adlao passes overhead, while night descends when Bulan glides over us, and Adlao takes his leave, bringing an end to their celestial dance until the enchanting chase resumes once more.

the dreaming prince - Bicol folktale

 In a distant era, a young prince ascended the throne as the sole heir to a vast and affluent kingdom following his father's passing. Initially immersed in worldly pleasures, he hosted dances and merry gatherings to attract the kingdom's most beautiful ladies. However, his focus on personal pursuits led to a drained royal treasury and growing discontent among his subjects. Plotting against him, his counselors sought to dismiss him from the realm.

His wise widowed mother, the queen, discovered the plot and urged him to govern responsibly. Taking her advice to heart, the prince redirected his efforts towards the welfare of his subjects, dissuading his ministers from their rebellious plans.

During a noon siesta, the prince had a dream where a ghost revealed a hidden treasure of gold and diamonds left by his father. To retrieve this wealth, he was directed to the city of Black. Despite his mother's skepticism, he embarked on a journey, disguised as a humble traveler, reaching the city's gates at night. The ghost guided him back to his palace, where the treasure awaited in the cellar.

Haunted by the dream, the prince, without his mother's knowledge, excavated the cellar with a pointed iron bar. After hours of digging, he unearthed a subterranean chamber filled with diamond columns and an inexhaustible flow of gold coins. The ghost's guidance proved true.

Driven by the quest for the final chamber, the prince disguised himself once again and traveled to the city of Black. There, he found a kind black-skinned individual, a former servant of his father. This loyal servant explained that the only one who could unlock the last chamber was the king of the demons.

Embarking on a journey with the black-skinned companion, they faced mystical trials and reached the palace of the king of the demons. The king requested a favor in exchange for unlocking the chamber—bringing him a beautiful, pure-hearted woman as a companion. After a challenging search, they found a suitable candidate, a farmer's daughter. Though the prince fell in love, he agreed to the king's condition, and they returned to their respective palaces.

The king of the demons fulfilled his promise, unlocking the last chamber for the prince. However, the king, recognizing the prince's love for the maiden, allowed them to be together, forfeiting the diamond column. The prince and the maiden celebrated their union with joy and splendor, marking the end of a fantastical journey.