The Bakawali Flower or Queen of the Night (Selenicereus grandiflorus) only blooms one night a year (or sometimes several years) and withers within hours. In Chinese it is known as Tan Hwa (昙花). To the Chinese, when this flower blooms it is a sign of good luck and auspice befalling on the occupants of the house where it is planted.
I read somewhere that some people would pluck the flower when it is in full bloom and then place it in a pail of water. It is believed that by bathing with the water infused with the Bakawali Flower, ones beauty would be enhanced. Bathing with this flower is also said to help calm the mind and also bring good luck to the person.
After bathing with the flower, one cannot throw it into the rubbish bin but must throw it into a river or bury it.
Before I forget, the article I read also mentioned that the person who plucks a Bakawali flower in bloom must say a prayer first as it is believed that the flower is guarded by a Jinn or Genie.
2 comments:
Thanks for posting this. We have a few of these plants and a flower bloomed the night of my mother's birthday. I could never find this flower until now! Thanks for the info.
You are most welcome.
Post a Comment