Elemental Philosophy

I think it’s amazing to think about all the unique things humans have done with the elements/nature. Since it’s winter time, I thought the topic of ice would be relevant when considering this idea.

I went on a cruise a few years ago, and on the ship there was an ice bar. I hadn’t heard of this before, but my family was intrigued so we decided to go. When we went inside, we were amazed to see how basically everything was made of ice– the chairs, the bar itself, and the cups, were all ice. There were also elaborate ice sculptures inside the bar. There was even a time limit on how long each group could stay in there since it was so cold. I was fascinated by how something so intricate could be made from something as simple as ice. This is the case with many things found in nature, yet we often don’t consider how amazing it truly is that something so mesmerizing can be made from something completely natural.

Here are some photos from the ice bar on the cruise ship!

I think it’s interesting how clouds have the power to influence our moods by the way they change the sky. When there are dark, stormy clouds in the sky, we tend to associate them with a gloomy, sad feeling. Yet when the sky is clear, we tend to be happier and more awake. For me, they often provoke wonder and never fail to amaze me. I think it’s so cool how at different times of day, the clouds appear to be different colors due to the sun. I love taking pictures and capturing different moments and memories through the sky. I included some photos I’ve taken above to share some experiences when the beauty of the sky and the clouds has made me happy!

1. The Fountain of Wealth (Singapore)

The Fountain of Wealth is the largest fountain in the world. It is located in one of the biggest shopping malls in Singapore. The element of water represents wealth in Chinese culture. The inward flow of water represents wealth pouring in. If you walk around the fountain three times while touching the water, it is said to bring you good fortune.

The Nations Friendship Fountain (Moscow, Russia)

The Friendship Fountain was created to represent the idea of national identity to the Soviet Union and to the world. The 16 gold-plated statutes represent former republics of the USSR, each female wearing a flag to represent each country. The fountain is located in an All-Russian Exhibition Center. Eight hundred jets spray the water ensuring a stunning display of beauty.

The Trevi Fountain (Rome, Italy)

The Trevi Fountain, one of the most famous fountains in the world, is located at the endpoint of one of Rome’s famous aqueducts. It was one of Rome’s first water sources and was constructed in 1792. It stands 85 feet high and has been represented in many films. If you throw a coin into the fountain, you will receive good luck and return to Rome again in your future.

Bellagio Fountain (Las Vegas, USA)

The Bellagio Fountain cost 40 million to construct and is located at the Bellagio Hotel. The fountain is choreographed to various pieces of music and present a light and water show every 15 to 30 minutes. Before the water show, the nozzles break the water surface and the color of the hotel changes depending on the event and time of year.