red-rose petal
swirls to the sky
red sun blooms
–Terry Chitwood
My free-form haiku could be symbolically interpreted in various ways. Firstly, it could symbolize the spread of Zen Buddhism throughout Japan (the land of the rising sun). Secondly, it could refer to the positive effects of Christianity (the red-rose petal) on religious thought in Japan. Thirdly, and more to my intuitive intent, it could represent the rubedo (the reddening)—the third and final stage of creating the alchemical philosopher’s stone (enlightenment).
Ignited by Passion
The color red can refer to passion. Traders need to enter the trading day ignited by passion, fueled with purpose, illuminating their workplaces, blooming like red suns. But isn’t passion . . . desire? Desire creates the fire for traveling the labyrinthine path to enlightenment. No desire: path expires.
Divine sparks
A red sun implies an inner furnace, generating divine sparks to light a dark world, divine sparks that can penetrate the smallest crevices of life, divine sparks that ignite other minds–and hearts—to tread the arduous spiritual path.
Community of Light
The image–of traders feeding traders light–warms my soul. Imagine a community of traders cooperating to help each other further their spiritual development rather than worshiping the false god of greed, a community motivated by compassion (with passion) and sensitivity to traders’ spiritual needs, a community based on . . . love.