What Do Lotuses Mean? Exploring the Spiritual & Tranquil Flower

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Discover what the lotus represents across religions and cultures
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Lotus flowers are not only beautiful, but they also hold many important spiritual meanings. Lotuses frequently symbolize purity, rebirth, and the ability to overcome adversity, though they may hold additional meanings depending on the culture and religion. In this article, we’ll teach you all the spiritual and cultural meanings associated with lotuses. Plus, learn what different color blooms mean, how lotuses are used in medicine and cuisine, what lotus tattoos mean, and more fun facts about this aquatic plant.

Lotus Symbol Meaning: Quick Overview

Lotus flowers often symbolize purity, rebirth, and inner strength. In Hinduism, they also represent the goddesses Lakshmi and Vishnu and symbolize enlightenment, fertility, and prosperity. In Buddhism, they represent Buddha and his journey to enlightenment.

Section 1 of 8:

Spiritual Meanings of Lotus Flowers

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  1. Lotuses are aquatic plants that often grow in muddy, murky water. Despite their unpleasant surroundings, lotuses bloom above the water, revealing beautiful petals that are clean, pure, and delicate. Because of this, the lotus has come to symbolize purity and innocence. [1]
  2. 2
    Strength and overcoming adversity Because lotus flowers grow and thrive in harsh environments, they’re often a symbol of inner strength and the ability to overcome obstacles. They remind us to search for beauty even when life seems ugly. [2]
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  3. 3
    Rebirth Each lotus bloom only lasts for a few days, but a single plant continues to produce numerous flowers over time. Because of this, these plants often represent rebirth and new beginnings. They remind us that great new opportunities can come from bittersweet endings. [3]
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Section 2 of 8:

Meanings of Different Color Lotuses

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  1. The color of a lotus flower can add meaning. Lotus flowers come in a variety of colors, and those colors each hold a specific meaning. Here are some of the most common colors of lotus flowers and what they mean: [4]
    • White: White lotuses are viewed as a symbol of purity and perseverance. These flowers remind us to hold strong to our beliefs, no matter what is happening around us.
    • Pink: Pink lotus flowers symbolize beauty and rebirth. They’re the most common color of lotuses used in Hindu imagery.
    • Red: Red lotuses represent the ability to overcome adversity and are symbols of passion and bold expression.
Section 3 of 8:

Lotus Symbolism Across Cultures

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  1. Lotus flowers are closely associated with Buddha because they signify purity and rebirth. Lotuses emerge from mud but remain untouched by it, just as Buddha rose untouched from the negative aspects of the world to achieve enlightenment. [5]
    • The white lotus symbolizes the purity of the body, mind, and spirit, while the pink lotus represents Buddha himself.
    • Lotus flowers hold similar meanings in Christianity, as many Christians associate them with purity and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  2. 2
    In Hinduism, they represent the goddesses Lakshmi and Vishnu. The Hindu goddesses Lakshmi and Vishnu are often depicted sitting on a lotus flower throne or holding lotuses in their hand. In Hinduism, lotus flowers symbolize enlightenment, beauty, fertility, prosperity, purity, and eternity. [6]
    • It is said that a lotus flower resides in every Hindu’s heart and when the blossom blooms, the person reaches enlightenment.
    • In the Hindu tantric tradition, lotuses represent the chakras, or energy centers in the body. Each chakra is represented by a lotus with different numbers of petals.
  3. 3
    In ancient Egypt, lotuses symbolized the cycle of life and death. According to ancient Egyptian beliefs, the lotus was a symbol of rebirth and regeneration and was closely associated with the sun. Because lotus flowers bloom in the morning and close at night, they serve as a metaphor for the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. [7]
    • Now endangered, the blue lotus flower was particularly revered in ancient Egyptian society, as it grew along the Nile’s banks and symbolized fertility and abundance. The blue lotus isn’t technically a lotus at all, but is instead a water lily.
    • Lotus flowers were often depicted in ancient Egyptian art alongside pharaohs and gods.
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Section 4 of 8:

Lotus Tattoo Meanings

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  1. Lotus tattoos symbolize strength, beauty, and resilience. Lotus tattoos hold many of the same meanings as the actual plant. They’re often a symbol of the wearer’s inner strength and ability to overcome difficult situations. They may also represent rebirth and new beginnings. This tattoo design might also hold special meanings unique to the wearer, or no specific meaning at all. [8]
Section 5 of 8:

Lotuses in Medicine & Cuisine

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  1. 1
    Lotus root is a popular ingredient in some Asian cuisines. All parts of the lotus plant are edible, and lotus root is frequently used in recipes like soups and stir-fries. Lotus root can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled. Lotus flowers can also be dried and ground to create a natural pink food coloring for beverages and desserts. [9]
    • Indigenous Australians also consume parts of the lotus.
    • In China, Korea, and Vietnam, lotus tea is a popular beverage made by steeping the flowers or leaves of a lotus.
  2. 2
    Lotus seeds are used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is said that lotus seeds have a calming effect and can help treat conditions like anxiety and insomnia. Lotus roots are also believed to have a number of health benefits, including regulating blood sugar levels and aiding digestion. [10]
    • If you want to try using lotus flowers for health benefits, talk to your doctor first.
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Section 6 of 8:

How to Incorporate Lotuses Into Your Life

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  1. Use lotuses or lotus imagery to promote a sense of peace in your home. Often, yoga and reiki practitioners use the lotus flower to help them connect with their emotions. If you have a pond or a large pot, consider growing your own lotus flowers, or place lotus-inspired art around your home to bring a sense of peace, purity, and feminine energy to your space.
Section 7 of 8:

Lotus Flower Fun Facts

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  1. Lotuses are very interesting plants. The lotus plant is an aquatic plant native to regions in East Asia and the South Pacific. Lotuses are very old, with some fossils dating back to over 100 million years ago. Here are a few fun facts about these interesting aquatic flowers: [11]
    • Lotuses are very hardy plants, and their seeds can survive underground for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
    • They’re the national flower of both Vietnam and India.
    • Lotus leaves are superhydrophobic, meaning they repel water. This effectively makes lotuses self cleaning, as water droplets pick up dirt as they slide off the leaves. This is known as the “lotus effect,” which scientists are attempting to replicate to create more water-repellent fabrics.
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Section 8 of 8:

Lotus Flowers vs Water Lilies

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  1. Despite their similar appearances, lotuses belong to the family Nelumbonaceae, while water lilies belong to Nymphaeaceae. Water lilies float above the water’s surface, while lotuses submerge their roots in the mud at the bottom of a lake or pond. Water lilies tend to be smaller than lotuses and have a wider range of colors. [12]

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      References

      1. ↑ https://philamuseum.org/collection/object/318939
      2. ↑ https://thursd.com/articles/lotus-flower-the-special-meaning-symbolism-and-influence-over-the-years
      3. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/plant/lotus-plant-common-name
      4. ↑ https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-color-is-a-lotus-flower/
      5. ↑ https://philamuseum.org/collection/object/318939
      6. ↑ https://www.oiirj.org/oiirj/nov2018-special-issue(02)/34.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/chiwonlee/plsc211/student%20papers/articles09/elizabeth%20larson/lotusflower/New%20Folder/Lotus%20flower.html
      8. ↑ https://thursd.com/articles/lotus-flower-the-special-meaning-symbolism-and-influence-over-the-years
      9. ↑ https://www.cdm.org/voyagetovietnam/lotus.html
      1. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7463813/
      2. ↑ https://www.nps.gov/keaq/learn/nature/lotus.htm
      3. ↑ https://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/chiwonlee/plsc211/student%20papers/articles09/elizabeth%20larson/lotusflower/New%20Folder/Lotus%20flower.html

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