August is coming right around the corner so its time we take a little break from real life and dive into the calm of deep Summer with cicada sounds. And just in case you live on the Southern Hemisphere, this is perfect for deep Winter too.
Get comfortable and forget the bags you need to unpack, or the bags you do need to pack, its time for a story, just for you. Go ahead and close that door.
The red thread of fate is an East Asian belief originating from Chinese legend and is also used in Japanese folkore. According to this myth, the gods tie a red cord around the ankles of those that are to meet one another in a certain situation or help each other in a certain way. Often, in Japanese culture, it is thought to be tied around the little finger.
The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break.
I remember watching the movie Dolls and being marvelled by the entire concept of the two characters who go through the story attached by the red rope. I didn’t really know much about the legend but the seed had been planted.
Maybe you have not thought about this much, or even know about the Red Thread of Fate but find yourself drawn to shooting images with a bit of red in them.
Maybe you even have a couple stories where red played main character. I would like to hear about them, photography style. The places you walk by everyday, places you visited last month during |travel| days.
Show us how you too, are connected to the red thread.
Capturing The Red Thread of Fate
1. Visual Inspiration – Here is a short list of movies where the legend is part of the story, use them for inspiration and then create your own images.
Sayonara (1957)
Dolls (2002)
Wool 100% (2006)
Ashurajou No Hitomi (2005)
Three of my favorite Tv series happen to be around the subject, which is not a coincidence.
2. Big Picture
Capturing the RED is not really that hard, but like most things, sometimes its so obvious that you end up missing it. This is the time where you will need to look at the big picture to understand the details, as one does not exist without the other, so you need to step back and take a good look at your every day.
The message will find you so be prepared to listen. Then capture it.
Let it find you.
3. Make it happen
After watching the movies, or the series, be inspired, truly inspired to go out and send your own message into the world.
Get yarn, rope, string and make it happen.
What resonated when you watched the movies (or the trailers)? Write down your ideas, draw, make collages (show us those too!) and paint!
Was there a quote that made your heart beat faster or gave you chills? Could you translate that feeling into an image?
Tell a story through a single picture, share it on the Flickr Group and watch how it connects to other people around the globe.
When two points are destined to touch but a direct connection is impossible… the universe will always find another way.
– Touch
Now go outside and click.
Van
Really love this prompt!
Yay! 19 days later have you found some? 🙂
YESSSS! I cannot wait to see everyone’s images in the pool this month. Thanks so much Van for this inspiring theme 🙂
Me tooooo! I’ve been browsing and my heart beats faster with all the red! I’m glad it’s inspiring!
I have never head of The Red Thread of Fate, but I’m intrigued! I love the hint of mystery in your words and the images. And, I always love a good love story!
Thank you so much! Love touches us all doesn’t it? Friends too, seem to be connected by red. Hope you’re enjoying this month!
Beautifully written!
Thank you so much!
This is so freaking cool! I can’t wait to seek out RED all August long!!! You rock Van! These theme is amazing!!!
❤❤❤ we’ve passed the halfway mark, can’t believe it!!
How amazingly timely. I just bought a house (closed two days ago) on a cute house with a bright red door. Love that it’s the theme!
That is INSANELY cool! Houses with red doors are perfect. There’s a happy story right there! Look forward to finding your images!!!
Really fun theme!
When I was very young my favorite cat died, and a young friend of mine whose told me this story. Her parents had told it to her when ehr grandmother died. I didn’t know where it came from. I’ve always imagined a string of thread between me and that kitty.
Not related to the theme but related to red — I once read a rule for photographers: “If you see red, shoot it,” and I’ve been following that ever since. There is even a flickr group called “The Red Rule.”
Wow, love this theme and especially love that last quote! Inspiring and thought provoking words and photography…heading out with camera to seek red and that connection!
Ooo, I’m looking forward to August. Such an intriguing theme and a fun post Van!
YESSSS!
Fantastic theme and post Vanessa!
this is really fantastic!
have loved this idea of the red thread ever since i learned of it when my sister was adopting her little girl from guatemala.
I have never heard of this story, despite the fact that I have had a special interest in everything Japanese since visiting there as an exchange student in high school. I am looking forward to checking out the movies/series and learning more.
Not about this red thread, per se, but one of the movies that has haunted me since childhood is The Red Balloon.
And I have been noticing, and photographing, little braided bits of red and white string on many local cherry trees for the past few years. I haven’t been able to figure out where this custom comes from. Your post prompted me to do some fresh research, and now I know about a Bulgarian custom that has to do with a red thread. I will share it in a photo. Thank you for the spark!
this is soooo wonderful!!!!! these photos are marvelous and i can’t wait to join in!!! xxxooo
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