Do you know the meaning of the lotus? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the lotus flower, including its meaning, usage, origin, and more!
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Kevin
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September 3, 2021
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Common Questions
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What does the word lotus mean?
According to Petal Republic, the lotus flower has a lot of significance around the world. These flowers are associated with Buddhisn in Eastern cultures, especially pink lotus flowers which portray Buddha’s earthly symbol. In Buddhism, the buds and petals of the lotus flower each hold different meanings. If the pink lotus flower has a closed bud, this means that it is representing the passing through the spiritual path. If the pink lotus flower is fully open, this represents enlightenment. In Buddhism, the important text in Mahayana Buddhism is referred to as the Lotus Sutra which contains the final teachings of Buddha. According to Buddha Groove, one of the most widely used mantras within Buddhism, called the Tibetan Mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum, also alludes to the lotus flower and is said to invoke the bodhisattva of compassion.Â
The lotus flower also has significance in Ancient Egypt. To the Ancient Egyptians, the flower was associated with the rebirth of the soul as well as the sun. These flowers disappear at night and re-emerge fresh in the new morning, which symbolizes creation and renewal. In the Book of the Dead in Ancient Egypt, the lotus flowers also symbolize death. This book contains spells that transform a person into a lotus flower. The lotus flower is also present in hieroglyphics in both lower Egypt and upper Egypt.Â
In Christianity, the lotus flowers also hold significance and represent both the creation of the universe and purity. These flowers are associated with Jesus due to their divine properties. These flowers have the ability to rise up out of the mud and water after three days of being underwater before blooming, just like how Jesus was revived after the crucifixion after three days. The lotus flower has roots that can each up to six feet deep, which symbolize living for a long time. This flower is associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
To the Hindus who practice Hinduism, these blooms are associated heavily with goddesses. According to Hindu legend, Lord Brahma appeared from Lord Vishnu sitting on a lotus plant. The Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning and the Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, are also Hindu deities that are associated with the lotus. This flower symbolizes spiritual enlightenment, purity, growth and birth.Â
The lotus flower is native to many parts of Southern Asia as well as Australia, and is the national flower of both Vietnam and India. The types of lotus are the Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) and the American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea). This flower, according to Uniguide, reminds us that we can blossom from wherever we started. This flower is meant to set us on the path to spiritual awakening and enlightenment. This does not come from nowhere, though. To harness the power of the lotus flower, one must practice non-attachment, self-awareness, and awakening. We can emerge from our sorrows just as the lotus emerges from the suffering in the muddy water.
Each different color of the lotus has a different meaning. Purple lotus flowers are strongly associated with Buddhism and represent self-awakening, like the pink lotus flower. This flower’s petals represent the Noble Eightfold Path, an important teaching of Buddha. The white lotus flowers are very popular, and signify beauty, knowledge, prosperity, fertility, grace, purity of mind, wealth, and beauty, and faith. These flowers have been nicknamed the womb of the world. The blue lotus flower is extremely rare. This color of lotus represents wisdom, the ability to control things over emotions, worldly aspirations, knowledge, and the senses. The red lotus flower symbolizes selfless love, heart, compassion, sympathy, passion, and generosity, while the yellow lotus flower is associated with religious beliefs.
What are other different types of perennials?
The lotus flower is considered a perennial, which is easy to grow and care for. Perennial flowers are a great choice of flower to add to your garden if you are looking for a plant that will bloom for many years – with the proper care, that is. Lotuses need five to six hours of direct sunlight per day to grow well. These plants might have difficulty blooming if there is not significant light, and thrive in a warm and sunny environment. While this plant blooms easily, it requires specific care. This plant needs a water temperature between 75 to 87 degrees, and also needs multiple weeks of living in hot weather before flowering. The lotus needs to be submerged in relatively still water, with a very specific eater depth of at least 2 to 4 inches of water above the soil. Make sure that you plant the lotus in a deep pot or planter that is 3 to 5 feet in width, especially for such cultivars that have the ability to grow at least 5 feet – this plant needs ample space for growth. The pot needs to be a hole free container and should be submerged roughly 6 to 12 inches below the water’s surface. This plant should be planted in dense soil or clay soil instead of potting soil. The lotus should be grown with a specific aquatic plant fertilizer in the spring, when the flower’s standing leaves begin to emerge.
Is the lotus the right perennial for you? If not, see if any of the below types of perennial flowers from Rural Sprout might work for your garden!
- Creeping Phlox
- Eupatorium (Joe Pye Weed)
- Russian Sage
- Nippon Daisy
- Helenium
- Hydrangea
- Leucanthemum vulgare (Ox-eye daisy/ Shasta daisy)
- Gypsophila (Baby’s breath).
- Oriental Lilies
- Fuchsia magellanica
- Peonies
- Spirea
- Asters
- Perennial sunflower
- Peony
- Dianthus (pinks).
- Heathers
- Clematis (various varieties)
- Roses
- Phlox
- Buddleia
- Chrysanthemums
- Azaleas
- Sarcococca
- Delosperma cooperi (Ice plant)
- Rhododendrons
- Lilac
- Sumac
- Rudbeckia
- Lupines
- Daphne
- Winter pansies
- Coreopsis
- Echinacea (Coneflower)
- Oriental poppies
- Tulipa (Tulips)
- Euphorbia
- Dicentra (Bleeding heart)
- Helianthus (perennial sunflowers)
- Winter flowering cherry
- Lavender
- Sedums
- Sedum
- Hebes
- Armeria (sea thift, sea pinks).
- Platycodon (Balloon Flower)
- Centaurea montana (Perennial cornflower)
- Japanese Anemones
- Iberis (Candytuft).
- Salvias
- Goldenrod
- Irises.
- Alliums
Overall, the lotus has many different meanings in places from North America to East Asia. The lotus takes shape in many parts of culture, from the lotus pose in yoga, to a lotus tattoo. The symbolism of the lotus flower is powerful when in a meditation on your knees and beyond to reach spiritual perfection and the noble truth.
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