With its presence dating back 145.5 million years, the lotus flower is one of the most used symbols in history. It has been a significant symbol for several religions and cultures, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism.
Meaning and symbolism of the lotus flower
The lotus flower in Buddhism
In Buddhism, the lotus flower represents purity since it blooms on long stems and moves freely over murky, muddy waters. It is also a symbol of detachment because water easily descends over its petals.
Since the plant grows in muddy water, rises above it and transforms into a beautiful flower that attains light/enlightenment, the lotus flower is a symbol of strength, perseverance, fortune and promise in the adverse conditions of Buddhism.
Growth/ Lotus flower processing is also considered a purification process. As it emerges from the muddy waters and rises above them, the flower (representing the soul) becomes purified despite its birth in darkness.
Fidelity is another concept associated with the lotus flower as a symbol, because enlightenment can only be achieved if one works to rise above all adversities and if one is faithful enough according to Buddhism.
The mud that one must overcome represents the suffering into which all human beings are born.
This suffering is part of the journey of enlightenment because it is a test that will determine whether or not a soul is strong enough to free itself from the muddy waters.
Finally, the lotus flower is considered a symbol of reincarnation and rebirth in Buddhism.
Reincarnation is central to Buddhist belief. The transformation of the lotus flower by shedding its old leaves and adding new ones every day is a symbolic process of reincarnation.
Rebirth and Light as a common symbol
In general, the lotus flower is mainly seen as a symbol of rebirth since it rises from darkness and transforms into a beautiful flower with pink and white petals like a human being born from nothing and transforming into something something complete and beautiful.
This process of creation is also considered a symbol of spiritual enlightenment and expansion of the soul.
Structure and symbolism of the lotus
When you look closely at a lotus flower, you will notice that it is not the same color as the petals. The center is always a yellow or yellowish green tint.
At the center is a circular mass of stigmas, the capillary receptacle. It represents the ultimate goal of all self-realization: the union of the human soul with the Ultimate Consciousness.
The petals of a lotus are arranged in concentric layers, and when the lotus blooms, each successively opens to reveal those within.
This gradual, step-by-step opening has been used as a metaphor to describe how we achieve higher levels of self-realization and of consciousness as we progress spiritually.
It is this concept of thought that lends itself to the representation of the lotus as the seven chakras, or centers of spiritual power of the human body in Indian religions.
The lotus flower blooms from an unremarkable bud to a flower that resplendent in the glory of its multi-symmetrical open form.
However, the journey of the lotus flower does not begin in the open air but in the water below. As a bud, it is submerged in water that is not the most pleasant of environments - usually muddy, perhaps full of natural or man-made debris, fish and insects.
At the time of flowering, the bud resolutely pushes away the inconveniences and frees itself from its old vault. Only now does the bud spread to welcome the sun on its face.
Few people take note of this fact, but this chronological mechanism ensures that no part of the petals ever comes into contact with dirty water.
The heart of the flower always remains intact despite the environment in which it began its life.
This is another wonderful analogy for the human soul and our experiences in the mortal world – no matter how difficult or difficult our lives, nothing can alter the purity of the human soul.
Historical and religious importance of the Lotus Flower
The earliest representation of the lotus in association with a particular pantheon is not entirely easy to determine. We know that the ancient Egyptians not only knew the species, but cultivated it in ponds and marshes.
Images from their mythology depict the god Horus, sitting on a lotus flower with his mother. The hieroglyph for the important cardinal number, 1000, was a lotus. Egyptian women wore amulets adorned with the lotus during childbirth.
The lotus is truly elevated to prominence and significance in the two religions that have their roots in India - Hinduism and Buddhism.
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Many gods in the Hindu pantheon are depicted standing on a lotus flower or holding it in their hands, and sometimes both. The Lotus Eye' is used to refer to the beauty of the Hindu god Vishnu.
Also read: Lotus Flower: Meanings in Buddhism
The 'Padme' of the powerful Buddhist mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum, refers to the lotus. The pink lotus is said to be a natural representation of the Buddha himself.
Researcher in Confucianism, Zhou Dounyi said of the lotus:
"I like the lotus because when it pushes mud, it is not stained"
The lotus as an element of nature
Although the lotus has very strong links with the spiritual world, both in the eyes of cultures such as Buddhism and Hinduism today and in to those of bygone eras such as in Egypt, it was also a practical addition to the landscape.
Both in India and Africa, parts of the lotus like the tubers and seeds were used to supplement the local food.
It is a very hardy species, which one would not immediately suspect, given its delicate appearance. However, a 1,300-year-old lotus seed was found and when scientists tried to germinate it, it flowered immediately.
Australian scientists studying the lotus plant > discovered that it can regulate its temperature like warm-blooded animals like us.
In fact, during their research, while the ambient temperature fluctuated between 10 and 45 degrees Celsius (50-113 degrees Fahrenheit), sacred lotus flowers (pink lotus or Indian lotus) remained between 30 and 36 degrees Celsius (86-97 degrees Fahrenheit).
Today, it is a common sight in water bodies and artificial ponds. The lotus is introduced into bodies of water to add a hint of color to an otherwise featureless surface.
The lotus flower in Hinduism and the sacred Lotus Padma
Sometimes called "water lily", the lotus flower is of significant importance to the Hindu religion since the Sacred Lotus Padma is associated with several Hindu gods such as Vishnu, Brahma, Kubera, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
Symbolizing purity and divine beauty, one of the primordial deities of Hinduism and the Supreme Being of Vaishnavism, Vishnu has been mentioned as "Lotus- Eyed One" in ancient texts of the faith.
Vishnu has been depicted holding a lotus flower in his hand in many works of Hindu iconography.
According to the Hindu religion, the lotus flower unfolding its petals is the symbol of reaching a deeper state of mind as one's soul develops.
In Hinduism , it is believed that the spirit of the sacred lotus flower (Padma) is part of the soul of every human being. It is a symbol of fertility, prosperity, beauty, divinity and life.
The rise of the lotus flower from dirty, muddy waters symbolizes the achievement of spiritual enlightenment and the release of basic instinctive impulses.
The lotus flower in Chinese culture
In Chinese Buddhism, the lotus flower is considered holy because it is the seat of the Buddha. It represents ultimate purity and perfection as it rises from the mud.
The lotus flower in Chinese culture also symbolizes the purification of the soul while transforming into an outer beauty, realizing thus the true nature of reality according to Buddhist belief.
Lotus flower drawing
To make a well-traced drawing of a fleur de lys, knowledge of its dimensions is essential. It measures 3 meters wide and 125 cm high. A lotus flower in drawing or a lotus flower in tattoo can be colored red, pink, yellow, white, purple... Lotus flowers, whether represented as a tattoo or a real plant, are water-repellent. Indeed, despite the fact that they flourish in muddy and shady waters, their color remains intact.
Moreover, the tattoo instills inner peace and balance. This is why the lotus flower tattoo is among the most popular tattoos. The assembly of the eight petals recalls the Eightfold Path, one of Buddha's teachings to his disciples.
Traditional legends say that the muddy and darker the pond, the more beautiful the flower that emerges. This flower is sacred to Buddhists since it symbolizes purity of body and mind. Additionally, the flower, roots and seeds of this plant are used in Asian cuisine. Lotus tea is prepared from dried stamens. These parts also have medicinal properties. This preparation treats an infinite number of physical and mental disorders such as migraine, diarrhea and anxiety.
Each color of lotus flower design conveys a meaning
- The white lotus flower symbolizes the awakened being known as Bodhi. Considered the womb of the world, the flower of this color symbolizes spiritual perfection and purity of the spirit. Indeed, white is synonymous with clarity and air.
The color white is considered a constituent element of the north direction, a sign of the supreme mind. Each of the eight petals of the flower represents the connection between the psychic and the supreme spirit. With this color, it symbolizes the desire to possess higher thoughts or to acquire a more advanced level of thinking. These states of mind will lead to an apprehension of divinity in humanity.
- The pink lotus flower represents the supreme lotus. The color pink symbolizes the significant lotus of the Buddha.
- The lotus flower of blue color transmits knowledge, intelligence and a victory of the mind over that of wisdom, intelligence and knowledge. In Buddhist art, the blue lotus flower is always displayed with the center not fully shown. Furthermore, blue is a color that conveys spirituality and the sublime.
Designs or tattoos of this blue flower symbolize power. It also presents itself as a sign of going beyond all limits. Indeed, this color instills spiritual openness and imagination.
- The red lotus flower represents a connection with the heart. It symbolizes compassion and love. Red also conveys a feeling of happiness and good humor. This color directs thoughts towards well-established ideas while helping you realize them.
- The purple lotus flower is considered mystical. Relating to esoteric concepts, it can take the form of a bud or an open flower. The petals of this flower represent the precepts of the Buddha, notably the Eightfold Path. For Buddhists, following this path means moving towards self-awakening. The Buddhist religion believes it as one of the noble truths.
1 comment
Mireille
J’adore cette fleur comme J’aime Bouddha, je m’en cherche un mais n’importe lequel.