Halloo my new friend Alex. Interesting is that although tulips are associated with Holland, both the flower and its name originated in the Ottoman Empire. The tulip is actually not a Dutch flower as many people tend to believe. The tulip, or "Lale" as it is called in Turkey, is a flower indigenous to Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and other parts of Central Asia. A Dutch ambassador in Turkey in the 16th century, who was also a great floral enthusiast, Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq, got their very names because of their Persian origins. Tulips were brought to Europe in the 16th century; the word tulip, which earlier in English appeared in such forms as tulipa or tulipant, entered the language by way of French tulipe and its obsolete form tulipan or by way of Modern Latin tulīpa, from Ottoman Turkish tülbend, "muslin, gauze." (The English word turban, first recorded in English in the 16th century, can also be traced to Ottoman Turkish tülbend.) The Turkish word for gauze, with which turbans can be wrapped, seems to have been used for the flower because a fully opened tulip was thought to resemble a turban.

said meeli110 2008.06.22 at 07:44:31 PDT

Beautiful album. Such a beautiful sight and photographed wonderfully.

said mistyblu115 2008.05.16 at 21:26:01 PDT

nices pictures!

said helen_yph 2008.05.01 at 22:56:41 PDT

Nice album! Like the last three the best.

said lmbremner 2008.05.01 at 14:01:41 PDT

Alex superb album, a credit to your skill Colin

said arrowman617 2008.04.29 at 04:06:36 PDT

Wonderful album, Alex!! You must have enjoyed taking pictures of these colourful blooms...Very beautiful! Regards

said didi24 2008.04.29 at 03:49:23 PDT