Lotus

The Path to Enlightenment

The Lotus flower is an important symbol for many Eastern cultures and religions, representing the concepts of purity, enlightenment, regeneration and rebirth. It can stand as a hopeful symbol for us all right now, with metaphors that are so potent. A distinguishing feature of the lotus is how it starts its journey deep in the mud, obscured and unseen in dirty waters, far from the sun. But eventually it sends its stalks high, up to the surface, where it blooms and blossoms to the most beautiful flower. Every night, it returns its blossom to the murky water, only to rise again, radiant and clean, the next morning. It’s a powerful reminder of the human condition, and might be a hopeful mascot for our global predicament.

Lotus by Wil Strijbos

Lotus flowers also come in many vibrant colors, each with their own special and specific meanings, according to Buddhism. The white flower, as might be expected, tends to symbolize purity, and is often seen depicted in divine eastern religious expressions. A purple lotus represents creativity, and wisdom, and is often shown with eight petals for the noble eight-fold path described in Buddhism. Pink is for tenderness, romance, harmony and relaxation, and is the “true flower” of Buddha. He left these in his wake with every step he took. Red is for love and compassion, of course. But the blue lotus is what I’m most interested in right now. A blue lotus represents inspiration, sincerity, spiritual wisdom, tranquility and rest. It is typically depicted in art as half-opened, and the center is not revealed.

The many elements of the puzzle dovetail nicely

This half-opened symbolism is perfect for the Lotus puzzle from Dutch designer William Strijbos, whose work is always a joy to feature (indeed, the first Boxes and Booze offering ever was a Strijbos puzzle). Wil is well known for his artistic anodized metal puzzles which are all fairly complex and collectible, although his sequential discovery type puzzle boxes are among the most popular and sought after. He developed the prototype for his Lotus box in 2012, based on an original idea he had created in 1979 of an impossibly trapped Yen coin and nail puzzle, among other concepts. The first thing one notices about the Lotus box is this feature, a prominent silver ring held in place by a nail which is impossibly trapped. Wil is also fond of dovetail joints, and produces a whole set of impossible dovetail joined blocks which are beautiful thought exercises designed to stimulate the imagination on how the impossible might be less so. There is a dovetail joint running along the length of the bottom on the Lotus box as well, which is provocative, but not yet functional.

The Sea of Tranquility

The Lotus box presents a number of tricky problems to solve, reinventing itself over and again like its namesake flower as the puzzle progresses. If the well chosen blue color of the puzzle helps provide symbolic inspiration, perhaps certain impossibilities can be reborn as possible, and certain discoveries can be made. This is a sequential discovery puzzle, after all. Tools, and some wisdom, will be found, and eventually a treasure is revealed. But, like the blue lotus flower itself, the puzzle is only half-opened. In case anyone misses this bit of misdirection, Wil helpfully prompts the traveler with the instructions that the puzzle has not been fully solved until the lotus flower has been found.

In classic Strijbos fashion, his puzzle reveals itself a little bit at a time, encouraging the solver along the way but including many chapters in the story.

An enlightening G&T

For such a beautifully symbolic puzzle box I wanted to create something special as a toast and tribute. The Lotus box is also a puzzle I am particularly fond of, as it was one of the very first items in my collection, many years ago now. What I envisioned for the cocktail was completely visual. I wanted to recreate the image of the lotus flower, blooming at the surface of the drink, with roots that extended down into the murky darkness. To achieve this I would need a heavy, dark liqueur or syrup that would naturally layer at the bottom of the glass. Blueberries would be absolutely perfect, fitting both the color scheme and theme of the puzzle box and having the right density as a syrup. I also happened to have some on hand, which is a critical component of anything in these days of isolation.

Of course, a simple syrup would not do for such a complex and elegant box. Rather, I made a blueberry shrub to compliment the cocktail and set the desired imagery. Shrubs are often known as drinking vinegars, made by adding different types of vinegar to what is otherwise a syrup. They are tangy and sweet, and some say have health benefits. All I know is they are delicious in sodas or cocktails. The rest of the drink came together easily, with some gin, lime and tonic water. I think it turned out rather perfectly, and on top of that, is a smashingly tasty drink. Here’s to tranquility, rest, wisdom, and enlightenment. Cheers!

A blooming good pair

The Sea of Tranquility

2 oz gin

½ oz lime plus ½ lime cut in wedges

¼ oz simple syrup

¾ oz blueberry shrub

Tonic

Muddle the lime wedges and simple syrup in the bottom of a mixing tin. Add gin and lime juice and shake with ice. Strain into a tall glass and top with the tonic water. Carefully pour the blueberry shrub down the side of the glass so it layers at the bottom. For full effect garnish with a lime peel lotus blossom and root.

For the shrub:

1 cup fresh blueberries

3/8 cup white vinegar

1/8 cup balsamic vinegar

¼ cup apple juice

½ cup sugar

Blend blueberries and some of the vinegar to puree, then strain liquid into a sauce pan. Add remaining vinegar, juice and sugar and heat until sugar has dissolved and liquid has thickened slightly. Cool, bottle and refrigerate.

For more from Wil Strijbos: