“In joy or sadness flowers are our constant friends.”
– Kakuzõ Okakura, The Book Of Tea
Perhaps a repeated encounter throughout human history, in the same way there is nothing unique about falling in love because it happens to many and yet it is the most unique phenomenon in the world because of what it does to your soul, a man has asked a woman: why do you like flowers so much?
She may have responded in a multitude of ways, she sighed, searching for the fundamental quality that makes flowers so irresistible, and finally may have exhaled “I just do!”. They say true unconditional love needs no reason for the love, but there is an undeniable grain of truth insofar as the object of our affections must have some form of excellence that we perceive. It may be her eccentric way of thinking, or her kindness, or even the elegance of her stance — still, there was something to admire.
Yet with flowers, this story of love is in a league of its own. It seems there may be too many reasons to love them. Or perhaps it’s surprising that something which cannot “respond” can somehow hold such excellent conversation. Flowers, above all, are experts of seduction and hold a glance with the intensity of unimaginable depth. A sensual ornament of award-winning quality, they delight eyes, nose, touch and, in some cases, taste. However, they must transcend their beauty, for there are things of great aesthetic value that do not continually please and amaze in the same way that flowers do. Their power is quite exclusive. They have established themselves as distinguished amongst transmitters of joy.
It may be as Okakura says: That it does not matter what the situation may be, through their silent communication they may share with us the fluttering torments and exuberances of our souls as do our friends — and that makes them quite the gift.
