The Real Meaning and Symbolism Behind the Lotus Flower

Flowers have been used for centuries to convey hidden meanings and spiritual significance. They're even used to remember historical battles and events. And while any flower in your bouquet likely has a fascinating story behind it, no bloom possesses as profound a symbolism as the lotus flower. Its meanings weave deeply through many cultures.

Dating back to ancient Chinese civilizations and remaining culturally relevant today, the lotus is a flower with a rich backstory. As it opens with the sun and closes at nightfall, this flower is often thought to be a symbol of life’s ebbs and flows, renewal, and rebirth. While lotus flower meanings differ significantly across cultures, this guide offers an expert-informed overview of its key metaphorical layers. Read on to learn more about lotus flower meanings and its historical symbolism.

Lotus flowers (Nelumbo nucifera) are aquatic plants that commonly are confused with water lilies. Unlike lilies, which feature large, leafy pads that float on the water's surface, lotus flowers root deeply in the mud beneath the water. From there, they send their stems upward to reach the surface, where the flowers bloom gloriously. This creates the illusion of a floating flower, but beneath lies a complex network of roots and stems that support the blossom above.

Despite their perceived delicate nature, these resolute plants are quite durable. According to the International Water Lily and Water Gardening Society, lotus flowers need at least six hours of sunlight a day to reach peak growth. These flowers can survive in nearly all moderate climates and can even thrive in extreme heat when shaded conditions are provided. Lotus flowers have a relatively short blooming cycle, around five days in the summer, according to the Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens in Washington D.C.

While the lotus flower's meaning varies across cultures and countries, the flower generally symbolizes renewal and strength.

“The lotus’s significance can be traced back thousands of years in ancient Egyptian, Indian, and East Asian traditions,” says plant expert Jennifer Snyder of Blue Owl Crystals. “In ancient Egypt, it was a symbol of the sun, creation, and rebirth, as the flower closes and sinks underwater at night only to rise and reopen with the sun each day. In India and East Asia, where it is native, the lotus became deeply intertwined with religious and philosophical beliefs, representing the human journey toward spiritual enlightenment.”

Here's a deeper dive into other lotus flower meanings:

Purity

Because the lotus flower emerges from the water without mud, muck, or debris, it's often seen as the ultimate symbol of purity. “The way they emerge from muddy waters yet bloom in pristine beauty represents the purity of the mind and spirit, transcending life's challenges,” says Snyder.

Rebirth

The lotus flower closes and reopens with every day of its blooming cycle, much like the path of the sun or moon. This has led to a wide belief that lotus flowers signify rebirth.

Persistence

“The flower's ability to rise from murky waters into something beautiful and untainted makes it a powerful symbol of hope and perseverance, beloved across generations and cultures,” explains Snyder.

According to Snyder, different-colored lotus flowers have different meanings in general and in specific cultures and religions.

• White Lotus Meaning: The white flower signifies beauty, grace, purity, and wealth. This is the most common and traditional lotus color.
• Pink Lotus Meaning: The pink lotus is often associated with the Buddha and the journey to self-enlightenment. Snyder also says that a pink lotus is representative of beauty.
• Blue Lotus Meaning: Snyder mentions that, because of its rarity, blue lotus coloring represents wisdom and knowledge.

The lotus is a central symbol in many Eastern cultures, which consider it to be one of the most sacred plants in the world. Lotus flowers feature in the oldest Egyptian hieroglyphics, antique Chinese ceramics, and Hindu folk stories.

“The lotus is revered in many Asian religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism,” says Snyder. “It’s often used as a symbol of purity, spiritual awakening, and enlightenment. In Hinduism, the lotus is associated with several deities, like Vishnu and Lakshmi, who are often depicted sitting on or holding the flower. In Buddhism, the lotus is symbolic of the journey to enlightenment; it grows in muddy water but blossoms into a beautiful flower above the surface, representing rising above obstacles and impurities to achieve spiritual purity.”

The lotus position, or padmasana, in yoga and meditation teachings, is a central pose used at both the beginning and end of a flow or practice.

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