Song of waterfall 1920

Nicholas Roerich painted ‘Song of Waterfall,’ with tempera and canvas in the 20th century. The dominant motif, the lotus flower held by the woman, speaks volumes, doesn't it? In Eastern traditions, the lotus symbolizes purity, spiritual awakening, and rebirth. This echoes in ancient Egyptian art where the lotus represented the sun and creation. Observe how Roerich positions the woman near the waterfall, a symbol of the ceaseless flow of life and the passage of time. Consider how the symbolism of water connects to the unconscious, that primordial sea from which consciousness emerges. The lotus, rising from the water, becomes a potent symbol of psychological integration. Think of the ancient myths where water nymphs or goddesses emerge, embodying the life-giving and transformative powers of nature. The cyclical, non-linear journey of these symbols, resurfacing in diverse cultures, reveals the enduring power of our shared human experience.