Lotus Flower Meaning and Symbolism

How much do you know about lotus flower meaning? As one of the beautiful flowers in the world, lotus has a lot of meanings. This flower is often used as a symbol and motif in art and literature.

1. The Lotus Meaning in Cultural Backgrounds

Soft and delicate on the outside, lotus is actually strong and powerful. The lotus meaning can be varied. Even some religious ceremonies use lotus as part of their flower arrangements. Rising from the ground to beat the odds of the world, lotus symbolises extreme strength and power.

Those are just some of the lotus symbolism. China and Japan are the countries that use lotus in their religious ceremonies. All the way from the East to all over the world, lotus has captured many hearts. Besides strength and power, this flower also represents beauty, purity, innocence, and spirituality.

Lotus is also praised in Egypt. American author Ted Andrews even wrote: “The lotus is to the East as the rose is to the West.”

2. More Meanings on Lotus Flower

Besides beauty, purity, innocence, and spirituality, lotus is also associated with these other meanings:

• Patience

Associated with patience, this flower is a reminder to keep the faith and believe that better things always come to those who wait patiently.

• Emptying oneself from sin

This point is actually still related to purity and innocence. Lotus flower is famous as a symbol of virginity and spiritual realm in art and literature.

• Mysticism 

Because lotus is often used in temples for religious ceremonies, it is also associated with mysticism. A lotus is also special because it rises out of and floats on the water.

• A direct spiritual link

This is almost the same reason as the previous two meanings. Since lotus is used in religious ceremonies a lot, it is considered a flower that has a direct spiritual link.

• Self-awareness

Some people with lotus as their birth flower have high self-awareness, confidence, and worth. They know what they want and how to value themselves. Once you have hurt them, you may never get a second chance to speak to them again.

• A rise from the pain

Just like the flower itself rising and floating on the water, lotus also symbolises the spirit of a fighter. One must not give up easily when facing difficulties in life.

• Enlightenment

It is already obvious, isn’t it? With lotus being related to spiritual realm and used for religious ceremonies, this flower brings enlightenment and divine energy.

3. The Etymology of Lotus and Its Meaning In Religions

Belonging to the family of Nelumbo nucifera, the name lotus has made it into different languages and various cultures. Sometimes, this flower is confused with water lilies.

In some religions, lotus also has different meanings:

• Hindu

Lotus is associated with the divinity of Vishnu and Lakshmi. These two figures are often painted in iconography alongside the pink lotus flowers. Sarasvati, the goddess of knowledge, was painted on white lotus flowers. Even Ganesha and Ganga were often portrayed sitting on lotus flowers.

• Buddha

Lotus is the symbol of these three things: body, mind, and speech. Rising above the water, lotus should be an inspiration for us to rise above sin and desire. That way, we will not be easily influenced by them.

The second Buddha was called The Lotus-born in Tibet. He was also the one introducing this religion to Tibet.

• Christian

The cross of Saint Thomas has a lotus underneath it.

4. The Colours of Lotus and Their Meanings

Lotus also comes in many colours. Earlier, we have known that pink lotus is often seen in Hinduism. Here are some more of them:

• Pink lotus

Perhaps many often associate this colour with gentleness, femininity, and sweetness. Pink lotus is the true flower of Buddha. It symbolises five (5) things, which are: relaxation, affection, tenderness, romance, and harmony.

• Blue lotus

There is both strength and vulnerability in this colour. Symbolising wisdom, confidence, depth, inspiration, and sincerity is what this blue lotus is all about. This is also associated with the victory of the soul over intelligence and knowledge.

• White lotus

White is often associated with flawless or perfection. As a symbol of the awakened mind or the Bodhi, white lotus has more meanings than other lotus flowers with different colours. White lotus represents faith, illumination, purity, innocence, goodness, and heaven.

Basically, white lotus is associated with spiritual perfection and pacification to the soul and nature. Often used in religious ceremonies, this flower also represents the world’s womb.

• Purple lotus

The purple lotus meaning includes dignity, creativity, royalty, wealth, extravagance, and wisdom. Purple lotus flowers that have eight petals represent the noble eightfold path, according to the teachings of Buddha. This path is also called ‘the noble truth’.

• Red lotus

How about the red lotus flower? This bold colour is often associated with love and compassion. Its softer shade often represents true heart and emotions. The bolder shade symbolises domination and power, love, romance, passion, and sacrifice.

• Black lotus

The black lotus meaning may seem a bit scary to some. As an absence of light colours and darkness in general, black often represents something more serious…and sinister. You may mention death, authority, power, and rebellion. You can also add sophistication here.

• Orange lotus

Although rare, orange lotus flowers do exist. Sometimes they look almost gold, which represents full enlightenment in the teachings of Buddha.

5. The Botanical Facts and Characteristics of Lotus

We have seen many lotus flowers grow in the water and float on a pond or creek. The deeper the fountain or the creek is, the easier and more freely they grow. You cannot really force the process. Place different colours of lotus flowers and root them in the pot.

Put the pot 4 inches underneath the water. Do that in the spring or fall and let them grow naturally according to the right weather. Understanding the lotus flower meaning will help to inspire you to go through hardships with inner strength.