Lotus Flower is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the Nelumbonaceae family. It is an aquatic plant which means it primarily grows in water or in areas with wet soil. They are often found in freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. Lotuses root themselves in the mud, their lengthy stems reaching upward to find the top of the water. Lotus plants have large, round, or oval leaves that float on the water’s surface. These leaves are often held above the water on long stalks. The leaves are quite distinctive and are often used in various cultural contexts as a symbol. The lotus flower is considered one of the most beautiful flowers in the world. Its elegant form and vibrant colors make it a symbol of beauty, grace, and aesthetics. Lotus is used for decoration, worship, and meditation. Lotus has a major significance in a lot of parts of the world. The national flower of a country is tied to the culture, history, and heritage of a nation. It is meant to reinforce the country’s image to the world and play a part in upholding the qualities that the nation holds true.  The national flower of India is Lotus.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LOTUS?
The word lotus comes from the Latin lotus, and from the Greek lotos, the word “lotus” has come to represent purity, enlightenment, beauty, and spiritual awakening. These meanings are particularly prevalent in Hinduism, Buddhism, and various other cultures where the lotus flower has played a significant role in religious and philosophical contexts. The lotus is often seen as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening. Its growth from the mud and its pristine blossoming on the water’s surface represent the journey from darkness and ignorance to spiritual illumination. The lotus is known for its ability to grow in muddy or murky water and still emerge clean and unblemished. This quality is often seen as a metaphor for resilience, strength, and the ability to overcome challenges. In some cultures, the lotus is associated with creation myths and the concept of rebirth. Its emergence from the water each day is likened to the sun rising, representing a cycle of renewal and rebirth.
TYPES OF LOTUS
There are two types of lotus –
- Nelumbo nucifera (Sacred Lotus):Â It is also known as the Indian lotus, sacred lotus, or Asian lotus. It produces white or pink flowers and does best in warm climates. It is widely cultivated in many Asian countries. Its leaves are typically round and can be quite large, often floating on the water’s surface. It is used in religious rituals, art, and literature in countries like India, China, and Japan. It is also called Water Lilly. Â While some sprout immediately, and most are eaten by wildlife, the remaining seeds can remain dormant for an extensive period of time as the pond silts in and dries out. During flood conditions, sediments containing these seeds are broken open, and the dormant seeds rehydrate and begin a new lotus colony.
- Nelumbo lutea (American Lotus): It is also known as water chinquapin. It is found in regions with slow-moving or stagnant freshwater bodies like ponds, lakes, and slow rivers. The flowers are typically yellow or cream-colored and are slightly smaller than the sacred lotus flowers. The leaves are also round and may have a reddish tint when young. It lacks the same level of cultural and spiritual significance as the sacred lotus in Asian cultures, but it is still a beautiful and ecologically important plant in North America. The botanical name Nelumbo lutea is the currently recognized name for this species, which has been classified under the names Nelumbium luteum and Nelumbo pentapetala. When people refer to different types of lotus plants, they may be talking about specific varieties or hybrids of the sacred or American lotus that have been cultivated for various purposes, such as ornamental water gardens or specific cultural uses. These variations can differ in flower color, petal count, leaf shape, and other attributes.
HOW TO GROW LOTUS?
Growing lotus plants can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, but it requires careful attention to their specific needs. Lotus plants require full sunlight to thrive. It should be planted in a large container or a pond with a minimum depth of 18 inches 24 inches or more, depending on the variety. It ensures that the water is calm. Use a large container or a pond that is deep. Fill the container or pond with a layer of clay soil mixed with some well-rotted compost. Lotus tubers are the thick, fleshy roots of the plant.
Plant the tuber horizontally in the soil, with the growth tips pointing upward. Fill the container or pond with water, submerging the planted tuber. Once the lotus leaves start to emerge, maintain a water level of about 6 inches above the soil. Lotus plants are heavy feeders. Fertilize them regularly with a balanced aquatic plant fertilizer tablet or granules. Remember that lotus plants can take some time to establish and may not produce flowers in their first year. With proper care and patience, you can enjoy the beauty of lotus flowers and their symbolic significance in your garden or water feature.
BLUE LOTUS FLOWERÂ 
The blue lotus flower is a psychoactive plant, moreover known as the blue Egyptian lotus, blue water lily, and sacred blue lily. It’s been applied in traditional remedies for decades as a natural aphrodisiac, sleep aid, and anxiety reliever. However, due to its psychoactive houses, many people are amazed if it’s far crook and stable to use. The blue lotus flower is a water lily that predominantly grows in Egypt and positive elements of Asia. The blue lotus functions as delicate, sky-blue, or light-blue petals that bloom above the water’s surface. Its leaves are commonly round and drift in the water.
The plant has a completely unique and spell-binding appearance. The blue lotus has a wealthy history, mainly in historical Egyptian culture. It changed into noticeably respected and related to religious and spiritual rituals. The plant’s symbolism protected rebirth, the sun, and the cycle of lifestyles and death. It changed into regularly depicted in historical Egyptian artwork and was believed to have psychoactive houses while fed on or utilized in spiritual ceremonies.
In historical times, the blue lotus changed into used for its psychoactive results. It changed into believed to set off a slight experience of euphoria, relaxation, and adjusted states of recognition while fed on or organized as an infusion. However, the precise psychoactive compounds and their results are nevertheless a topic of dialogue amongst researchers. Besides its psychoactive reputation, the blue lotus has additionally been utilized in conventional medicinal drugs for its ability to heal houses. It changed into believed to have houses that would alleviate stress, anxiety, and numerous bodily ailments.
Today, the blue lotus continues to be every so often used for its ability enjoyable and calming results. However, it is crucial to be aware that its use as a psychoactive substance isn’t always well-studied or extensively accepted, and it can no longer be criminal in all areas. The blue lotus is a water lily that grows in aquatic environments like ponds and slow-shifting water bodies. It’s local to areas in Africa and elements of Asia.
WHITE FLOWERÂ
The white lotus, scientifically referred to as Nelumbo nucifera, is a lovely and extraordinarily symbolic aquatic plant that is respected in diverse cultures across the world. It is frequently related to purity, spirituality, and enlightenment. The white lotus is characterized by large, round, flat, and aromatic flora with pristine white petals. The flora usually have a yellow or pinkish center. The plant additionally has large, round leaves that waft at the floor of the water. The white lotus holds deep symbolism in numerous cultures and religions, along with Hinduism, Buddhism, and historic Egyptian beliefs. It is frequently visible as an image of purity, enlightenment, and religious awakening. In Buddhism, it represents a nation of intellectual purity and religious perfection.
The white lotus is related to diverse deities, mainly the goddess Saraswati, who is the embodiment of knowledge, artwork, and wisdom. It is likewise connected to Lord Vishnu, who’s frequently depicted seated on a white lotus.
– In Buddhism: The lotus is a primary image in Buddhist artwork and teachings. It represents the adventure from lack of expertise to enlightenment. Different colored lotus flora have one-of-a-kind meanings, with the white lotus signifying purity and religious perfection.
– In Ancient Egypt: The blue lotus changed into frequently called the “Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile” in historic Egyptian culture. While now no longer precisely similar to the white lotus, it additionally held substantial spiritual and cultural importance.
Various elements of the white lotus plant, along with the seeds, rhizomes, and petals, were utilized in conventional medicinal drug and culinary programs in a few regions. The seeds, in particular, are suitable for eating and are utilized in Asian cuisine. White lotus plant life is located in aquatic environments like ponds, lakes, and slow-shifting water bodies. They are recognized for his or her potential to thrive in still, shallow waters. Some species of lotus, along with the white lotus, are taken into consideration as threatened or endangered because of habitat loss and water pollution. Conservation efforts are in the area to defend and maintain culturally substantial plant life.
The white lotus is an image of wonderful cultural and religious significance, representing purity and enlightenment in diverse religions and perception systems. It is fashionable now no longer handiest for its symbolic cost but additionally for its splendor and adaptableness to aquatic environments.
WHAT DOES THE LOTUS SYMBOLISE IN DIFFERENT CULTURES?Â
HINDUISM
The lotus flower is the foremost symbol of beauty, prosperity, and fertility. According to Hinduism, within each human is the spirit of the sacred lotus. It represents eternity, purity, and divinity, and is widely used as a symbol of life, fertility, and ever-renewing youth. The lotus flower is used to describe feminine beauty, especially female eyes. In the Bhagavad Gita, a human is adjured to be like the lotus; they should work without attachment, dedicating their actions to God, untouched by sin like water on a lotus leaf, like a beautiful flower standing high above the mud and water.
It is described that when divine life-substance was about to put forth the universe, the cosmic waters grew a thousand-petalled lotus flower of pure gold, radiant like the sun. This was considered to be a doorway or an opening of the mouth of the womb of the universe. Thus, lotus is the first product of the creative principle.” The role of Lord Brahma was to re-create the universe after the great flood on this planet. In order to create the universe, He used the different parts of the lotus plant. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata that Lakshmi emerged from a lotus flower that grew from the forehead of Lord Vishnu, and a garland of 108 lotus seeds is today used for the worship of Lakshmi.
BUDDHISMÂ
In Buddhism, the lotus flower is associated with purity, spiritual awakening, and faithfulness. The flower is considered pure as it is able to emerge from murky waters in the morning and be perfectly clean. It is also known to symbolize purity of speech, of the body, and of the mind. The breaking of the surface every morning is suggestive of desire, which leads to it being associated with spiritual enlightenment. A main line of thought in Buddhism is that a person’s path in life is similar to that of the lotus flower. Starting at the seed stage, early in the karmic cycle, through to the bud emerging from the dirty water, representing a person following the path of spirituality and leaving attachment behind, and finally blossoming, this is when a person has become fully awakened and has achieved nirvana.
There are a variety of colors of lotuses that are connected to different aspects of Buddhism:
The blue lotus flower is associated with a victory of the spirit over that of wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge. The white lotus flower is known to symbolize Bodhi (being awakened) and represents a state of mental purity and of spiritual perfection; it is also associated with the pacification of one’s nature. This lotus flower is considered to be the womb of the world. The purple lotus is known to be mystic and is associated with esoteric sects. It can be depicted as either an open flower or as a bud. The eight petals of the purple lotus are representative of the noble eightfold path; one of the principal teachings of the Buddha. Following this path is thought to lead to self-awakening, and is considered one of the noble truths. The pink lotus flower is the supreme lotus and is considered to be the true lotus of Buddha. The red lotus flower is related to the heart and the meaning is associated with that of love and compassion.
CHINESE TRADITIONSÂ
The Lotus Flower is celebrated for its exquisite beauty and is a symbol of elegance and grace in Chinese culture. It is often featured in traditional art, poetry, and literature as a representation of aesthetic ideals. The lotus flower also symbolizes prosperity and abundance. In Chinese culture, it is associated with wealth and success, and it is believed that having lotus flowers in your home or workplace can bring good fortune. The lotus appears in various Chinese legends, myths, and folklore. One well-known story is “The White Snake,” in which a white snake spirit transforms into a beautiful woman and falls in love with a human man. In this story, lotus flowers play a significant role in the narrative. Lotus motifs are commonly found in Chinese art, architecture, and decorative elements. They are often carved into stone sculptures, painted on porcelain, and used in traditional designs for clothing and textiles. During Chinese New Year celebrations, lotus flowers are sometimes used as decorations to symbolize purity, renewal, and good fortune in the coming year. Various parts of the lotus plant, including its seeds, roots, and leaves, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine for their potential health benefits. The lotus is a multifaceted symbol in Chinese culture, representing purity, enlightenment, resilience, beauty, prosperity, and more. Its enduring presence in Chinese art, religion, and daily life underscores its profound significance in the country’s cultural heritage.
All symbolism associated with the lotus flower seems to be positive and in the vein of being a good person and finding spiritual meaning in life. Using the lotus flower in your pond can not only add an exotic aesthetic, but also can attract purity, prosperity, spirituality, and beauty to your water garden. This might be a good addition to your pond come spring!
