Amaranth

Images Needed for “Why Amaranth?” Scrollstory

This document lists the images needed for the scrollstory, with suggested sources. Many of these are available under Creative Commons licenses or are in the public domain.

Header Image

• amaranth-grain-closeup.jpg - Close-up of amaranth grain/seeds
  • Suggested: Wikimedia Commons has several good options
  • Search: “Amaranthus cruentus seeds” or “amaranth grain”

Section Images

Greek Origins / Unfading Flower

• globe-amaranth-dried.jpg - Globe amaranth flowers (Gomphrena globosa) showing how they retain color when dried
  • Wikimedia Commons: search “Gomphrena globosa dried”
  • These flowers beautifully demonstrate the “unfading” quality

Aesop’s Fable (scrollybox background)

• aesop-rose-amaranth.jpg - Illustration of a rose and amaranth, or any classic Aesop illustration
  • Public domain Aesop illustration collections
  • Or: a simple image of both flowers together

Milton / Paradise Lost

• blake-paradise-lost.jpg - William Blake’s illustrations for Paradise Lost (1808)
  • Public domain, widely available
  • Specifically look for Book III illustrations with angels/heaven
  • Alternative: any 17th-18th century Paradise Lost illustration

Aztec History

• amaranth-seeds-bowl.jpg - Amaranth seeds in a traditional bowl or vessel
  • Stock photos or Wikimedia Commons
• codex-mendoza-tribute.jpg (scrollybox background) - Page from Codex Mendoza showing tribute items
  • Public domain, Bodleian Library
  • Shows amaranth as one of the tribute goods
• burning-codices.jpg (scrollybox switch) - Diego Rivera mural or other image of Spanish destruction of indigenous culture
  • Rivera’s murals at National Palace, Mexico City (some reproductions available)
  • Alternative: image of book burning or colonial violence

Modern Revival

• amaranth-products-modern.jpg - Modern amaranth products (flour, cereal, etc.)
  • May need to photograph or use stock

Superweeds

• palmer-amaranth-field.jpg - Palmer amaranth (pigweed) in an agricultural field
  • USDA or agricultural extension services often have these
  • Search: “Palmer amaranth cotton field” or “pigweed infestation”

Variety / Contradictions (scrollybox background)

• amaranth-varieties-collage.jpg - Collage showing different amaranth species/uses
  • Could be created from multiple CC images

Hopi Red Dye

• hopi-red-dye-amaranth.jpg - Red amaranth or Hopi Red Dye variety
  • Native Seeds/SEARCH may have images
  • Search: “Amaranthus cruentus red” or “Hopi Red Dye amaranth”

Alegría

• alegria-amaranth-candy.jpg - Traditional Mexican alegría candy
  • Wikimedia Commons: search “alegría dulce” or “amaranth candy Mexico”
  • Many good images available

Image Specifications

For best results with the scrollstory format:

• Header images: At least 2000px wide, landscape orientation
• Scrollybox backgrounds: At least 1600px wide, can work in various orientations
• Inline figures: At least 800px wide

Public Domain / CC Sources

• Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
• Library of Congress: loc.gov (many historical images)
• Biodiversity Heritage Library: biodiversitylibrary.org (botanical illustrations)
• USDA Image Gallery: flickr.com/photos/uaboretum/ and similar
• Internet Archive: archive.org (historical books with illustrations)
• Rawpixel Public Domain: rawpixel.com/category/53/public-domain (curated CC0 images)

Notes

Some images may need to be:

1. Cropped to appropriate aspect ratios
2. Optimized using the scripts/optimize-images.sh script
3. Color-adjusted for consistency with site design

Consider creating a few images yourself:

• Photograph amaranth products from a local health food store
• Visit a botanical garden for globe amaranth photos
• Create a simple collage for the “varieties” background

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