About ten years ago, I was in Laos for work when a delegate at the conference asked me about all the places I’d been and where I wanted to go next. I got really excited talking about my future travel plans, but then he hit me with something that stuck: “But you know, blood runs thicker than water.” It’s been so long, but those words have stayed with me.
I was supposed to head back to Egypt after this but then again, serendipitous circumstances (issues with my visa) brought me home to Mumbai, India. That visit taught me something important. Blood isn’t just thicker than water—it flows differently. It flows viscously, not quite a solid and not quite a liquid. As scientists would describe, it resists easy flow. It flows with a certain unpredictability too, reflecting the intricate and sometimes erratic nature of familial bonds.
While it is tempting to desire the freedom and fluidity of water, blood is the very essence of our being. It is what connects us to our origins, making us one with our source. A few years ago, I found out my blood has malaria antibodies, even though I’ve never had malaria. When I tried to donate blood, they told me I couldn’t because of the risk. Turns out, my mom had malaria when she was pregnant with me, so her blood quite literally runs through me. It made me realise there’s no real separation from our roots.
On a literal level, blood is indeed thicker than water due to its higher viscosity. This thickness is derived from its components—cells like red and white blood cells and platelets—suspended in plasma, which is about 90% water. So, if blood is the essence of our being, then plasma is the life-sustaining medium that nourishes, protects, and balances our vital functions. While blood connects us to our source, water is what sustains us and allows us to grow.
Blood and Water is a painting by Anne Robichaud Jordan
Our origin, our source, is in our blood, but water enables us to expand and evolve. Throughout history, across various philosophies and ancient cultures, water has symbolised life, purification, and hope—universal values that unite us and should be cherished. Let the flow of water guide you to your life partner, with whom you will create new blood ties. This new essence will be passed down to your children, perpetuating the cycle of life.
fortuitouspurpose 