Tribute to Mother's Day: Filial Piety

Filial Piety... taking care of one's elders. Place: Beijing's White Cloud Taoist Monastery during the chinese new year. Customarily during this time, people come from all over to pay respects, make prayer and offerings to the various virtues and deities of enlightenment in all the places of worship. Some of Lao Tzu's "Tao de Ching " is engraved in stone here (one of the most influential books in history). Touching the various symbols brings good fortune and luck hence the discolouration from the rubbing. An elder woman gets assistance in reaching out to "Open Heart" (compassion) from her son. Red is very symbolic for love, war, fire, energy and represents life and vitality. (notice the smile face?). The shadow created by the hands reveals a shape of wisdom. This unfolding moment in the viewfinder was truly an alignment of elements for me. Time actually stopped...as I gently squeased the shutter. One exposure was all I had time for ....which was plenty. I Love you Mom!