The Lotus Story
“Water surrounds the lotus flower, but does not wet its petals.” – Gautama Buddha
Lotus gains significance as the national flower of India. Growth, purity, and birth are some of the terms that one hears when learning about the symbolic importance of the lotus.
The sacred lotus also represents eternity, divinity and life. Humans should seek to be like lotuses by standing on their own when in search for liberation (moksha). They should look to stand without attachment and not be distracted by the materialism around them (represented by the mud and water).
In Hindu Mythology, Goddess Lakshmi is depicted as seated on a pink lotus, and Saraswati, on a white one. Lotus is also associated with Lord Brahma who is sometimes depicted as seated on a lotus.
For Buddhists, the lotus symbolizes divinity, fertility, wealth, knowledge and enlightenment.
Lotus symbols are central in yantra patterns, and form part of many designs of decoration in more secular contexts.
We at Wedding Tales love the lotus as it is delightfully versatile. We can take blooming lotus and float it in water or take a closed lotus and use it the line a mandap. At the end of a string of mogra or sugandhraj, a closed lotus completes a very elegant design.
Even the sheer pattern of the lotus is inspiring. It can be symmetrical or stylized or uneven and it still looks perfect on cards, floral murals, garlands, etc.