The Sacred Lotus Flower

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The lotus is an Asian water lily. It grows from the depths of the muddiest ponds and lakes to the water’s surface to display it’s beautifully delicate blooms.

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The lotus also has it’s place in the scientific world.  Superhydrophobic surfaces such as the leaves of the lotus plant have surfaces that are extremely difficult to wet, and allow the plant to self clean.  In the case of the lotus flower the contact angles of a water droplet exceeds 150° and the roll-off angle is less than 10°. This is referred to as the ‘Lotus effect’.  Some other plants such as ‘Ladies Mantle’ share the same properties.  Modern applications that emulate the ‘Lotus effect’ are paints, roof tiles, and fabrics to name but a few, by copying the lotus they can stay dry and clean themselves in the same way as the lotus leaf.

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The seeds, leaves and root of the lotus are edible, in Asia the petals are used as a garnishes and the leaves are used  food wraps when steaming food.  The root has a starchy, slightly sweet tasting flesh.  It can be used in salads stir fried, or cooked and used in soups.  Lotus root is low in calories, contains only a trace of fat and is rich in fibre and vitamin C.

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Indian Culture

In Indian culture the lotus flower represents beauty and non-attachment.  The lotus is rooted in mud and floats on the surface of the water.  This symbolises how we should live our lives, untouched by our surroundings. ”One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water.”
– Bhagavad Gita 5.10

In Hindu mythology the lotus flower is associated with several gods and goddesses, Krishna is described as the ‘Lotus Eyed one’ due to his divine beauty.  Brahma is said to have grown from a lotus in the navel of the sleeping Vishnu.

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Buddhism

In Buddhism, the lotus flower is viewed as a representation of spirituality.  It is a symbol of aspiration as the roots of the Lotus are embedded in the mud at the bottom of a pond or lake and it grows upwards towards the light.  The holiness of the flower is illustrated by the legends surrounding Buddha.  When Buddha walked on the earth he left lotuses in his trail instead of footprints. Another states that Buddha first appeared floating on a lotus.  In China and Japan one of the most popular scriptures was Mahayana Buddhism and the Lotus Sutra, it was written in India around 200CE and translated into Chinese in the 5th century.  In Japan Nichiren promoted the Lotus Sutra above all others as it opened the way to Buddha to everyone.

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Ancient Egypt

As the lotus flower opens in the morning with the sun and closes with the night, the ancient Egyptians believed that the lotus flower symbolised formation, revival, and rebirth and was known as ‘seshen’.  There are two native species of lotus in Egypt, Nymphaea lotus (white) and Nymphaea cerulea (blue), a pink variety Nelumbo nuciferea (pink) was later introduced and originated in Persia.  All three types of lotus are depicted in Egyptian art, but the blue lotus was mostly used in hieroglyphs and for decorating buildings. According to one creation myth it was a giant lotus that first rose out of the watery chaos at the beginning of time. From this giant lotus the sun itself rose on the first day. 

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Christianity

In Christianity the white lotus flower represented holiness, purity and positive energy, and was often associated with the Virgin Mary.

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The Lotus position in yoga

The Padmasana or Lotus pose in yoga involves crossing the legs and maintaining a straight back.  This pose is ideal for meditation.  It is a relaxing pose, helps with concentration, increases awareness and helps maintain a good posture.  The lotus is also a symbol for the chakras of the body (the centres of consciousness) as when the position is maintained correctly all of the chakras are aligned.