AMAZONIAN COMPASS

The Victoria Regia is not just a water lily, but a real miracle deserving to bear the name of the British Queen of Aquatics. It has large round floating leaves, bent at the edges, thus creating the shape of a frying pan. Its diameter may exceed 2 meters. In local language the Indians called it apona, which means “birds’ frying pan”.

Plants are often used by travelers for orientation. For instance, the exotic Ravenala from Madagascar was named the Traveler’s Tree, since its foliage grows from East to West. This helps travelers gain orientation if lost in the jungle and at the same time to quench their thirst from the base of the leaves.

On another note, the arrow of the compass could be a symbol of the future lovers’ date, trying to find a match in the jungle of life. This meeting is as rare as the blossoming of the Victoria Regia.

Our meeting – Queen Victoria:

Rarely-rarely in bloom…

After her life – an elegy,

And hope in a dream.

Trembling in the flight,

I languish from bliss - you will come,

Our meeting – Queen Victoria:

Rarely, rarely in bloom. ( Igor Severyanin)