「Look at the Picture and Talk about the Painting」Appreciating Lotus Flowers during the Major Heat Festival, Savoring the Pure Land in the Heart

The Major Heat marks the peak of “all things flourishing and the intermingling of dampness and heat”, but nature also bestows a gift unique to the height of summer – the lotus.
Amid the sweltering heat and humidity, all things reach their peak of flourishing, and lotus flowers stand out in their unrestrained beauty. The lines by Yang Wanli, “The lotus leaves stretch to the sky, boundless and emerald green; the lotus flowers glow under the sun, a unique shade of red,” vividly depict the grandeur of lotus flowers in the height of summer, fully demonstrating their vigorous vitality.

Qi Baishi’s “Ink Lotus and Red Lotus” features red lotuses depicted with vigorous brushstrokes and rich colors, being bright yet not gaudy; the lotus leaves are rendered with freehand brushwork, exuding a sense of vitality. Pan Tianshou’s lotus paintings are characterized by bold and vigorous brushwork, with a powerful momentum in the interplay of ink and color, and a sense of vitality hidden in the contrast of light and dark, revealing an inherent charm. The lotuses in these paintings are not only a presentation of beauty but also carry the ancient Chinese imagery of “purity and serenity” attributed to the lotus.

Appreciating lotus flowers during the Major Heat, viewing the lotus in paintings and in ponds, that touch of emerald green and pink pierces through the summer heat, quelling the restlessness in one’s heart. It turns out that admiring lotus flowers is not merely about observing the blossoms; it is more about using this ethereal posture to reflect on one’s inner self. In the most sweltering season, seeking a cool and pure haven is the unique philosophy of the Major Heat.

The tea for today is all gone. Next time, I’ll brew a fresh pot and enjoy art with you again.