source: http://webneel.com/webneel/blog/diwali-greetings-card-collection-2
Its been busy, too much going on, but I did not want to miss this day and wish all those who came to this site a beautiful --bright-happy Diwali!!
The above image is from a 'rangoli' floor decoration, I made last year. On purpose using the Swastika, which has been so maligned because some folks in Europe did not know what it meant. Swastika, literally means, a symbol of health and prosperity. Cross, which has been associated with Christianity, is a very recent form of it. There are over 300 forms of Swastikas that exist, including the cross used by the Orthodox church. IN many native american communities it was used to symbolise the sun. Often times these rangolis are made of purely spices and edible stuff, e.g. cake and wheat flour, so that they may become food for the ants. Such is the beauty of hinduism, that it recognises all life forms and they are to be respected just as much as human beings, and loved as we love Gods. For there is only one!! Only one life.
At the risk of sounding strange, I am going to leave a link here for a celebration that I just learnt about. It is a part of Diwali celebrations in parts of India and nepal. Tihar: meaning festival, is known by the animals and birds it pays respects to. Dogs and possibly cats, cows and crows (representing birds). So, folks, here is a celebration that is not just for humans, but makes sure we honor all life, especially because without them, we won't exist either. This is knowledge!!
May the Light of Knowledge Remove the Darkness of Ignorance: Shubh (auspicious) Deepawli!!
