Botanical gardens - Patricia Cerminara

Acrylic on canvas - Framed (850mm x 700mm) 

This is a place of floral beauty. Flowers in Aboriginal culture are a vital link to the land, a means to honour ancestors and express emotions, and a symbol of the enduring heritage and spirituality of the Aboriginal people. 

The colors used are symbolic to Aboriginal people the red and pink represents the earth, bloodlines, and ancestral connections. Yellow is associated with the sun, energy, and warmth, while black symbolizes water, the night, and the spirit world. White can signify bones, purity, and ceremonial markings. The colors used embody concepts such as the four directions, four seasons, and sacred path of both the sun and human beings. 

In addition to their beauty, flowers also hold significant symbolism like the gum blossom as it signifies the healing power of nature.

Aboriginal people also use flowers to pay respect to the land and to show gratitude for the recourses it provides. For example, the use of Eucalyptus leaves and flowers in smoking ceremonies is a way of purifying the land and offering thanks to the spirits of the earth. these ceremonies help to maintain the balance between the people and the land, ensuring that the recourses are used sustainably.

Flower are not just symbols but are a way of preserving heritage and maintaining connection to the earth, flowers are also used in ceremonies and rituals to celebrate cultural events and maintain a balance between people and the land.