Lotus Flower – Meanings and Curiosities

In this article, we will discover the meaning of the lotus flower. Flowers usually have different meanings, we have already written a great article on our website explaining the meaning of flowers both in the West and in the East.

The Lotus flower is a very special aquatic flower in Japan and some Asian countries such as India and Egypt. Its scientific name is Shiro-numa Lotus Festival (Gunma); and its history is sacred and has ancient and deep origins. Not only Buddhism, but Hinduism and even the Egyptians consider the lotus flower as something very important.

The lotus flower is fascinating and amazing because at night the flower petals close and the flower plunges underwater. Before dawn, it rises from the depths again, until it rises again to the surface, where it opens its petals again. Even the ancient Egyptians associated the lotus flower with the sun god Ra. It is also the only plant that regulates its internal heat by keeping it around 35 degrees. Its seeds are also capable of surviving up to 5,000 years without water.

lotus flower in japan

In Buddhism the lotus flower symbolizes purity of body and mind, divided birth, and spiritual growth. The lotus flower usually blooms over muddy or muddy water. Thus water is associated with attachment and carnal desires, and the flower on the water is the promise of purity and spiritual elevation.

She is often associated with the Buddha and his teachings. It is believed that when the Buddha (Siddhartha) took his first steps, all the places where the lotus stood blossomed.

Lotus flower

Moving a little from the spiritual side, the lotus flower usually represents elegance, beauty, perfection, purity and grace. It is a flower that represents a lot of feminine attributes.

This flower often appears as a reference in several works of literature, including manga, novels and anime.

lotus flower colors

A blue lotus flower means wisdom and knowledge. It represents the victory of the spirit over the material senses. This flower is associated with Manjushrio, o bodhisattva of wisdom.

A red lotus flower it means the original nature and purity of heart (hrdya). It also represents love, compassion, passion and all other qualities of the heart. is the flower of Avalokiteshvara, o bodhisattva of compassion.

A white lotus flower: is related to the perfection of spirit and mind, state of total purity and immaculate nature.

pink lotus flower it is considered supreme and is often associated with Buddhism.

A purple lotus flower it is known as the mystical lotus, represented only in some esoteric Buddhist sects.

A white lotus flower represents the state of complete spiritual and mental perfection and proclaims your perfect nature, a quality that is enhanced by the color of your body.

A yellow lotus flower it is not part of Buddhism, but its color represents the sun, energy, joy and happiness.

already the black lotus represents every opposite of the white lotus. Despite not being real, it is quite popular, especially in the Magic game, and makes several references as the main character of Novel and Anime Accel World.

Lotus flower

Lotus flower in cooking

The flowers, seeds, young leaves, and “roots” (rhizomes) of the lotus flower are edible. In Asia, its petals are used as decorations, while its broad leaves are used to wrap food. Petals, leaves, and rhizomes can also be eaten raw, but with the risk of transmitting parasites. That's why it's recommended to cook them before eating them.

They are often consumed as tea because they have therapeutic qualities that range from curing kidney and lung diseases to combating stress and insomnia. The seeds are also rich in starch, and can be eaten raw or dried.

A lotus flower seed symbolize longevity, as they can germinate even after millennia. They are edible and known for their medicinal properties. It can be consumed in the form of popcorn, called makhanas.

The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:

Lotus Flower Gardens in Japan

Japan is famous for its floral gardens spread throughout the country, some stand out when we talk about the lotus flower and we will mention a few below:

  • Shinobazu Pond, Ueno Park (Tokyo);
  • Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura (Kanagawa);
  • Sankei-en Garden, in Yokohama (Kanagawa);
  • Kodaihasu no sato, in Gyoda (Saitama);
  • Izunuma and Uchinuma Lakes (Miyagi);
  • Hanahasu Park, Minami Echizen (Fukui);
  • Lotus Garden in Yamaga (Kumamoto);
  • Heian Jingu Garden (Kyoto);
  • Chiba Koen (Chiba);
  • Shiro-numa Hasu Matsuri (Gunma);

Other references to the Lotus

The “Lotus Flower” is also the name of a meditation posture where the practitioner sits with the legs crossed and the soles of the feet facing upwards like Shiva and the Buddha. In Asian religions, most deities appear seated on a lotus flower during the act of meditation.

In Hinduism it is associated as a gift during the creation of the universe. The Egyptians also believe that the flower is related to the creation of the world and the navel of God Vishnu. Other Egyptian gods like Brahma and Horus were born from a lotus flower.

The lotus flower serves as an example for pessimistic people who complain about life. Even if our life is dark, we must strive to look good, and strive to rise again in the light. We can keep in mind things like energy, joy, happiness, longevity, perfection and wisdom. Did you like the article? Did you know the lotus flower? We appreciate the possible shares and comments.

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