Lily city. Lily - a symbol of purity, a flower with a rich history

Nicknames are an integral part Everyday life. We give nicknames to people, nicknames to animals, we come up with nicknames for ourselves, based mainly on the qualities and traits inherent in all. Cities are no exception, they also have nicknames.

There are several theories to explain this unusual name cities. Most often they say that it appeared thanks to a large number of musicians and all kinds of concerts and festivals in New Orleans.

This name Bucharest received mainly for the exquisite architecture and elegance of the local elite. The capital of Romania is indeed smaller than Paris, but compared to others European cities it boasts the sixth largest population.

The lily is so important to Florence that it has even become part of the city's official coat of arms. In fact, this is a stylized image of the Florentine iris, which was the insignia of the Frankish court, later royal family France, and even later, he appeared on the coat of arms of the Medici family. The petals of the lily symbolized the three pillars on which the state rests: devotion to the crown, valor in battles for it, and the wisdom of kings.

Canada's most populous city has earned several nicknames over its long history, but the oldest of them is Dirty York. It received such an unsympathetic name when it was a small village, when there were no sidewalks on the streets, and the rain turned the road into an impenetrable swamp.

Switzerland is known for its armed neutrality and active participation in the development of peace processes. Geneva is especially distinguished in this regard, where more than two hundred international organizations, including the Red Cross, are located.

Lion City is not just a nickname for the metropolis South-East Asia, but also a direct translation of its name. "Singa" is translated from Malay as "lion", and "pura" as "city".

With a population of over eight million people, Cairo is considered one of the largest cities in both Africa and the world. But his nickname, to put it mildly, sounds like an exaggeration. There are many more ancient cities in the world that can be considered the cradle of human civilization.

What Italy's second largest city is famous for is that it is home to major fashion brands and shows. Armani, Versace, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and many more famous names earned Milan his honorary title.

Most Big city Argentina, its capital, Buenos Aires, is another city that claims to be compared to Paris. Here, one of the highest concentrations of theaters in the world, besides, the city impresses with amazing architecture and rich historical heritage. That's the whole explanation.

If most of the nicknames clearly exaggerate the dignity, then the second name of Prague clearly underestimates them. The capital of the Czech Republic is known for its huge historical heritage, which includes not hundreds, but thousands of towers.

Australia's largest and most populous city owes its nickname to Port Jackson, one of the largest natural bays in the world. In addition, one of the main attractions of the city is located here - Opera theatre and Harbor Bridge.

With a population of just 300,000, Pittsburgh is the second largest city in Pennsylvania. Eg is called the Steel City for obvious reasons, there are more than three hundred companies that are in one way or another connected with the steel business. In addition, it has another name, the City of Bridges, since there are approximately 450 of them built throughout its territory.

The capital and most populated area of Norway is often referred to as the Tiger City. It is believed that this name first appeared around 1870 thanks to the writer Bjornstjern Bjornson, who perceived the city as a cold and dangerous place.

Initially, only the palace of the Chinese emperor, located in the center of Beijing, was called the forbidden city. Later the name spread to the whole city.

They say that the city received such a romantic name thanks to William Penn, an English Quaker who saw Philadelphia as a place where all people, regardless of skin color, nationality, live in peace and harmony. The name itself is translated from Greek: “philos” - love, “adelphos” - brother.

For those who have been to Barcelona, there is absolutely no need to explain the appearance of such a name. The second largest city in Spain is home to most of the famous works architect Antonio Gaudi.

With a population of 650,000, Siet is considered the largest city in the state of Washington. And it got its name thanks to the evergreen forests around and city parks. The second nickname - Jet City - is due to the presence of a Boeing manufacturer here.

One of the most famous tourist cities in the Mediterranean, Dubrovnik has received such a pleasant nickname for its numerous architectural and historical sights. Sometimes it is also called the Croatian Athens.

Tel Aviv has a population of 400,000 and is the second largest city in Israel. He is known for the stormy nightlife and fun atmosphere. In this regard, he is practically a brother to New York.

The population of the city is over 8 million people. This is the largest settlement in Iran, however, as well as throughout Western Asia. As an economically developed center, it attracted a huge number of immigrants, which is why it deserved such a name.

The city got its name due to its proximity to the mountains. Despite the fact that the population is only 150 thousand people, Grenoble is considered one of the most important scientific centers in Europe. And in 1968 he took Olympic Games.

Although there are several American cities that could lay claim to being called "Big D", Dallas still deserves it. With a population of 1.3 million, it is the ninth largest city in the United States.

Perhaps this is the oldest name of the city in this review. In ancient times, the Romans thought that no matter what happens in myrrh, how many empires are born and fall, their city will last forever. There is one more famous name Rome has a city on seven hills.

The capital of Hungary has acquired several original nicknames in its history: the Capital of Freedom, the Capital of the Spa of Thermal Baths, the Capital of Festivals, but in most guidebooks it is indicated precisely as the Pearl of the Danube.

Today, the proud name "Capital of the Kings" for the Peruvian city is just an echo of history. Although that is what it was called in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. He chose such a high-profile name, because on January 6 - the day the city was founded - Spain celebrates the Day of the Kings.

Lily cities will save humanity from Flood. Eco-city made of polyester fibers coated with a layer of titanium dioxide.

The planet is warming, glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, and this will lead to mass migration of people from low-lying areas to other continental regions. To do this, the architect Vincent Callebaut designed the self-sufficient floating cities of Lilypads (lily cities).Each city can accommodate up to 50 thousand. people, and taking into account that up to 25 million inhabitants of the planet will be under the threat of flooding, Callebo worked thoroughly.
Inspired by the shape of a lily, he created an eco-city from polyester fibers coated with a layer of titanium dioxide. What is such a large-scale "ship"? Of course, a mountain of electronics and completely "green" solutions. So, the "double skin" of the structure is made of high-strength polyester fiber coated with a layer of titanium dioxide. The latter, under the influence of ultraviolet, decomposes atmospheric pollutants through a photocatalytic reaction.
On an area of 50 thousand square meters there will be work surfaces, shops, residential areas; hanging gardens and aquaculture will be below water level. Cities should work on renewable energy sources: solar panels, wind and tidal energy, etc. Their launch is scheduled for 2058.

Today the world is concerned about three main problems: global warming, the price of oil and the food crisis. We couldn't resist talking about the first point. Especially since we came across such an elegant, if not glamorous, solution to the problem of flooding a decent part of the land.

In the twentieth century, the total rise in the level of the world's seas was only ten centimeters, but for the current century, all fifty are predicted! (But for this it is enough for only 1% of the Antarctic ice to melt.)

The French architect of Belgian origin Vincent Callebaut, already known to our readers, was imbued with the lamentations of environmentalists and decided to create Lilypad. He describes his brainchild in a simple way: “a floating ecopolis for climate refugees.”

"Biotech" Lilypad will travel from the equator to the poles, following the sea currents. Vincent does not say anything about whether the amphibious city can “stand” in one place or choose the direction of its movement (illustration by Vincent Callebaut).

The giant lily city is designed for 50,000 inhabitants, the same "emigrants" who will flee from the effects of global warming from the mainland. True, according to the forecasts of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an organization established under the UN in 1988, up to 25 million inhabitants of our planet may be in a disaster zone. Therefore, Callebo did his best, planning the possible future of a significant part of the population of the Earth.

Outwardly, Lilypad is very similar to a floating leaf of a water lily (namely, the largest of them - the Amazonian). Hence the name of the entire project, and even to some extent its internal structure.

In all its glory and in accordance with all standards. By the way, if you look closely, you can see three marinas under the first tier (illustration by Philippe Steels/pixelab).

What is such a large-scale "ship"? Of course, a mountain of electronics and completely "green" solutions. So, the "double skin" of the structure is made of high-strength polyester fiber coated with a layer of titanium dioxide. The latter, under the influence of ultraviolet, decomposes atmospheric pollutants through a photocatalytic reaction.

To this we add solar panels, wind and tidal energy, the energy of the Earth's biomass, water purification using the phenomenon of reverse osmosis and phytopurification, and so on and so forth. All in all, full list. It is unlikely that Vincent thought through everything to the smallest detail. But the area (about 500 thousand square meters) will undoubtedly make it possible to install any installations on the Lilypad that will bring at least some benefit to the inhabitants of the "ecopolis".

“I took everything from nature,” Vincent Callebaut admits plagiarism without embarrassment. Well, let! The giant "descendant" of the lily will save the inhabitants of New York, Bombay, Calcutta, Ho Chi Minh City, Shanghai, Miami, Lagos and Abidjan, Jakarta and Egyptian Alexandria (photo from vincent.callebaut.org).

Afloat, the three-humped colossus will be stabilized by ballast, which is actually a lagoon located in the center of Lilypad and filled with fresh water. It is completely submerged in the ocean, and rainwater will be collected and processed in it. Well, let's take the author's word for it. It remains to be hoped that rains can be "found" even in the arid regions of the planet (of course, if they remain on Earth by 2100).

Idyll, and more! Callebo dreams of close to ideal relationships between nature and man (illustrations by Philippe Steels/pixelab).

According to Kallebo, it is unlikely that giant amphibious cities will be mass-produced on the planet before 2058, so we will focus on the beginning of the next century, for a round count.

So. What else is interesting with this peculiar pool? Oh yes, it has a complex structure. On its surface facing the ocean, "gardens" of marine plants will be located, and people will live and researchers of marine flora and fauna will work in the thickness of the walls themselves.

Uruguay, Egypt, Holland, Bangladesh and Oceania will be the first to be affected by the “strike of the elements”, according to IPCC. This is how Callebaut sees 2058 in the Maldives (illustrations by Vincent Callebaut and Philippe Steels/pixelab).

A variety of living creatures and vegetation will be located inside the ecopolis. Callebo suggests using the numerous hanging gardens and farms. After all, the city will have to fully provide itself with everything necessary, which means that each Lilypad will be a small state with its own production, business and developed service sector.

It will not do without politics. She will definitely not perish by the end of time! People will have to establish new rights and norms for those residents that will be scattered around the "islands of hope" around the world, but this is the tenth question. Callebo and us, what to be modest, it interests in the last turn.

Bird's eye view. This is what Lilypad families would look like off the coast of Monaco (illustration by Philippe Steels/pixelab).

There is another, much more interesting question. Wouldn't such artificial land be too expensive? But no one knows this yet. In any case, there will be buyers, Vincent has no doubts, especially in the face of a reduction in the area available for housing. And if the greats of this world don’t become them, then the numerous advanced “green” ones will definitely tear off the apartments on Lilypad with their hands.

Vincent himself lacked the imagination to draw a night view of Lilypad, and his friend Philippe Steels from pixelab experimented with this theme with pleasure (illustration by Philippe Steels).

Well. A self-sufficient city-island is undoubtedly a good and necessary idea, but in reality, investors, as a rule, are more interested in smaller and slightly more realistic projects, for example

Lily- royal flower rich history. The lily acquired its fans many centuries ago. It is believed that the flower got its name from the ancient Galic word "li-li", which means white-white in translation. In many nations, the lily flower is associated with a symbol of purity, lightness and sophistication.

Lily story

Historical references to this flower date back to 1700 BC. Images of lilies on frescoes and vases were popular in Ancient Greece, in Egypt and Rome. In Persia, these flowers adorned lawns and royal courts. And the capital of ancient Persia, Susa, was called the city of lilies.

The history of this flower is surprisingly rich, interesting and sometimes contradictory. There are many legends and stories that mention these delicate flowers. Most of the references are found specifically about white lilies.

For example, according to ancient Greek tradition, these flowers appeared from the drops of milk of Hera, the wife of the god Zeus. A beautiful legend says that Queen Alcmene secretly gave birth to a boy named Hercules from Zeus. Fearing the punishment of Zeus's wife Hera, she hid the baby in the bushes. But Hera found the newborn and decided to breastfeed him. Little Hercules felt the substitution and roughly pushed the goddess Hera away. Milk splashed on heaven and earth. So it appeared in the sky Milky Way and lilies sprouted on the ground.

Lily found in ancient Germanic mythology. For example, the god of thunder Thor was depicted with a scepter crowned with a lily. These flowers are also mentioned in old German fairy tales, where each lily had its own elf. These little ones fabulous creatures every evening they arranged a chime with the help of lily bells and fervently prayed.

Later, with the spread of Christianity, the white lily was considered the "flower of the Virgin Mary", as a symbol of purity and innocence. The lily was especially loved in Italy and Spain. Here it was customary to come to the First Communion in wreaths of lilies. Until now, in the Pyrenees, there is a custom on Midsummer's Day to decorate the church with bouquets of these flowers. After the sacrament of consecration, flowers were nailed over the door of each house. It was believed that from that moment until the next Midsummer Day, the residents of the house would be safe.

I must say that lilies are a very common symbol in Christianity. Many saints are depicted on icons with a branch of this flower. For example, the Archangel Gabriel on the day of the Holy Annunciation, and of course, the Virgin Mary (the icon "Fadeless Color")

Painting by French painter Adolphe-William Bouguereau “Archangel Gabriel”

Painting by French painter Adolphe-William Bouguereau “Virgin Mary”

orange-red lilies symbolized the blood of Christ. According to ancient tradition changed color on the night before the execution of the Savior. Proud and beautiful, she could not stand the humble gaze of Christ when he leaned over her. She felt ashamed and blushed. Since then, as the legend says, red lilies lower their heads and close their petals with the onset of night.

The ancient Jews also loved this flower. He was considered a symbol of purity. According to ancient legend, the lily grew in the Garden of Eden and was a witness to the temptation of Eve by the devil. Despite everything, the flower remained pure and untouchable. That is why they decorated altars and human crowned persons. According to one version, the ancient Jewish symbol - the six-pointed star, or "Seal of King Solomon", identifies the lily flower. The influence of this flower is also reflected in architecture. For example, during the reign of King Solomon, the huge columns of the temple appeared, to which the court architect gave the shape of lilies.

In Egypt, fragrant suzinon oil was made from delicate lilies, which was very popular with Egyptian beauties. This oil is mentioned in his treatise “On the Nature of Woman” by the famous ancient Greek healer Hippocrates, where he describes in detail its softening and soothing properties. There is also evidence that the bodies of dead Egyptians were decorated with white lilies. One of these mummies with a lily on his chest is now kept in the Louvre in Paris.

AT Ancient Rome, rich in spectacular masquerades, was a very popular holiday dedicated to the goddess of spring Flora. It was celebrated at the beginning of May. During these days, the doors of Roman houses were decorated with flowers. Elegant Romans brought gifts to Flora in the form of milk and. arranged everywhere fun entertainment, and the heads of the participants of the holiday were decorated with wreaths of lilies. The winners of various competitions were literally showered with flowers. For all this festive decoration, a whole sea of \u200b\u200bflowers was required. So they prepared for this holiday in advance and grew flowers in greenhouses.

Painting by Italian fresco painter Prosper Piatti "Floralia"

Lily at this beauty festival took second place of honor after. Rich ladies decorated themselves, their lodges, and even chariots with them, trying to shine in front of each other. It was a flower of luxury and refined taste. Therefore, lilies were incredibly popular in ancient gardens. It is not surprising that the image of a lily appeared on the coins of that time.

Lilies were minted on coins in many countries. The starting point is considered the Persian period, 4th century BC, when a lily flower was depicted on silver coins on one side, and a portrait of the Persian king on the other. Later this tradition moved to Europe.

But, perhaps, the lily flower played a special role in the history of France. According to legend, when the king of the Franks Clovis fought the Alemans at Tolbiac, he realized that he was losing. Being a pagan, he turned to God and asked him to help. Raising his hands to heaven, he received baptism for himself. And at the same moment the angel handed him a silver lily, as a new weapon. The soldiers of Clovis rushed into battle with a vengeance, and the enemy was defeated. Since then, the lily has always been present on the coats of arms of the French rulers.

19th century fresco from the Pantheon (Paris) "Battle of Tolbiac"

According to another source, lilies appeared in the heraldry of France after the victory over the Germans on the banks of the Li River. Returning after the battle, the victors adorned themselves with beautiful flowers that grew in abundance in those places. Since then, France has been called the kingdom of lilies, and three flowers, personifying the three virtues - justice, mercy and compassion, adorn the coats of arms of the kings of all French dynasties.

There was a period when the reign Louis XIV in France, coins were in circulation, bearing the names of gold and silver lilies.

Around the same time, the expression "etre assis sur des lys" appeared in secular circles, which meant "to have a high position", since all the walls and chairs in administrative buildings were decorated with lilies. During the reign of Louis 12, she becomes the queen of all French gardens. It is considered a flawless flower and continues to win the hearts of European nobility. Since the end of the 12th century, the heraldic sign of the lily has become very popular throughout Western Europe.

I must say that this flower has been valued for its beauty throughout its history. A wide variety of symbolic meanings were attributed to him and, depending on the traditions, they were interpreted as the Deity, beauty, purity, innocence, greatness, rebirth, purification, a symbol of fertility.

According to ancient legends, the hair of the ancient muses was woven into the cloak of Zeus. Christian symbolism used the image of this flower as an indispensable attribute of the saints. It is believed that the expression "Hallelujah" refers to a stylized lily.

At different times, the beauty of this flower was considered angelic or devilish. For example, during the ruthless Inquisition, the lily began to be considered a flower of shame. Her image began to stigmatize all sinners and criminals. Since then, in Europe, the fashion for this beautiful flower has acquired a dramatic hue, and it has become an indispensable attribute of a luxurious funeral.

There was a time when there were many legends in Germany linking lilies to the afterlife. According to local beliefs, she was never planted on the graves. It was believed that this flower would grow by itself on the grave of a suicide or a person who died a terrible violent death. The lily that appeared meant a bad sign, was a harbinger of revenge.

In painting, lilies occupy a special place. This flower conquered painters of all times with its beauty. The paintings in which they are depicted always have some kind of subtext that the artist wanted to convey. Perhaps the wisdom and perfection of the world, bliss from unity with the Higher powers, Dedication to all goddesses, or simply a declaration of Love.

Without exaggeration, we can say that this amazing flower has conquered the whole world, since its description can be found both in religious treatises and in ancient mythology, and in medieval painting, and on the coats of arms of the French kings. In terms of popularity, lilies are second only to roses, firmly occupying their niche both as an indoor flower and as a wonderful decoration for a garden and a pond.