Ikebana: A Journey to the Self, A Sublime Art
(Image source: B. Lennart Persson, flickr.com) Ikebana is a noble hobby that involves flowers and everything else in life. It is more than putting some flowers and twigs in a vase. This article explores its philosophy and meaning. The Meaning of Ikebana Ikebana is like meditation; it has a deep spiritual quality to it. The beauty of this art form is that anyone can practise it, and it can become part of our ordinary domestic life, transforming mundanity into something extraordinary. Ikebana means arranging flowers, but the exact meaning is making flowers alive. It has a deep connection with the Buddhist approach to life. Ikebana did not lose its charm for the fair mind, and in a recent book, the author, Yuji Ueno, called it ‘The Zen Way of Flowers’. There is another name for Ikebana that reveals its spiritual undertones- Kado. Kado means the path of flowers. Learning and understanding this art is a profound spiritual journey to undertake. The Origin of Ikebana A Buddhist monk, Ikenobo,...