Victoria Regia and White Lotus
NYMPHAEA AMAZONICA AND NYMPHAEA AMPLA
Origin NORTHEAST OF BRAZIL, COLOMBIA AND CENTRAL AMERICA
Active ingredient ERGINA
MEDICINAL, RITUAL use
The Mayans used the white lotus to treat ulcers and skin diseases and considered it a sacred plant. In Brazil, in Minas Gerais, its leaves are used to heal wounds. Victoria regia, known in the Amazon as lapuna (moon flower), has a greater symbolic importance. It is linked to the indigenous legend of Naiá, a young girl who drowned trying to reach the moon and was transformed into a plant whose flower blooms at night and closes at dawn.
References:
Luz, Pedro. Psychonautic chart. 1st edition. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Dantes, 2015.
Ateliê Amazônico. "Vitória-Régia: Representativeness and Symbolism." Accessed October 5, 2024. http://atelieamazonico.weebly.com/4/post/2021/03/vitoria-regia-representatividade-e-simbolismo.html.
All Matter. "The legend of Vitória-Régia in Brazilian folklore. " https://www.todamateria.com.br/lenda-da-vitoria-regia/.