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