Rivers

Rivers have an important role in many cultures throughout the world. Some consider them as a symbol for fertility and irrigation of the soil while on the other hand, some see them as a symbol for the passage of time, life, persistence and sometimes even death.

In Greek mythology, underworld and the world of the living was divided by four rivers: Acheron, Cocytus, Phlegethon, Lethe, and Styx. Each of them served different purpose. But, the most famous one is the river Styx.

On the other hand, Indian mythology and culture consider rivers in more beautiful way. For Indian people, rivers are deities which give birth to art, music, dance, architecture and spirituality. Each river is described to have identity, appearance, value and spirit. One of the most famous rivers in India is Ganges.

Apart from mythology and culture, rivers have as well been used in literature. The symbolism of the rivers has played an important role in many story and poetry genres. In Herman Hesse novel Siddhartha, river is a central symbol that represents unity and eternity of all things in the universe. As a representation of life, it provides knowledge without words, and Siddhartha’s reward for studying that knowledge is an intuitive understanding of the divine essence.Siddhartha returns to the river in the times when he goes through a great transition in his life (for example when he abandons his wealth).

In every day life, people consider rivers to be metaphors of life. At its beginning, a river is just a small spring that grows and gets its strength by flowing throughout beautiful landscapes. People use it to build villages and towns on its banks and to enjoy in its beauty. At its end,  a river merges with other (usually bigger) river and together, they continue their path. Because of this, rivers are widely used as metaphors for life and passage of time. 

In the other hand, a lot of people use rivers to relax and spend their time watching a beautiful flows. 

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are many beautiful rivers, but unfortunately, people here do not appreciate them as they should. 

Below are some beautiflu rivers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

River Sana, Sanski Most

River Drina, Goražde

 

River Neretva, Mostar

 

(all photos on this blog were taken by me)

Beauty

The Rhodora  by Ralph Waldo Emerson

In May, when sea-winds pierced our solitudes,
I found the fresh Rhodora in the woods,
Spreading its leafless blooms in a damp nook,
To please the desert and the sluggish brook.
The purple petals, fallen in the pool,
Made the black water with their beauty gay;
Here might the red-bird come his plumes to cool.
And court the flower that cheapens his array.
Rhodora! if the sages ask thee why
This charm is wasted on the earth and sky,
Tell them, dear, that if eyes were made for seeing,
Then Beauty is its own excuse for being:
Why thou wert there, O rival of the rose!
I never thought to ask, I never knew:
But, in my simple ignorance, suppose
The self-same Power that brought me there brought you.