''Nelumbo nucifera'', also known as the pink lotus, sacred lotus, Indian lotus, or simply lotus, is one of two
extant
Extant or Least-concern species, least concern is the opposite of the word extinct. It may refer to:
* Extant hereditary titles
* Extant literature, surviving literature, such as ''Beowulf'', the oldest extant manuscript written in English
* Exta ...
species of aquatic plant in the
family
Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
Nelumbonaceae. It is sometimes colloquially called a water lily, though this more often refers to members of the family
Nymphaeaceae
Nymphaeaceae () is a family of flowering plants, commonly called water lilies. They live as rhizomatous aquatic herbs in temperate climate, temperate and tropical climates around the world. The family contains five genera with about 70 know ...
. The lotus belongs in the order
Proteales.
Lotus plants are adapted to grow in the
flood plain
A floodplain or flood plain or bottomlands is an area of land adjacent to a river. Floodplains stretch from the banks of a river channel to the base of the enclosing valley, and experience flooding during periods of high Discharge (hydrolog ...
s of slow-moving rivers and delta areas. Stands of lotus drop hundreds of thousands of seeds every year to the bottom of the pond. 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
silt
Silt is granular material of a size between sand and clay and composed mostly of broken grains of quartz. Silt may occur as a soil (often mixed with sand or clay) or as sediment mixed in suspension (chemistry), suspension with water. Silt usually ...
s 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. It is cultivated in nutrient-rich,
loam
Loam (in geology and soil science) is soil composed mostly of sand (particle size > ), silt (particle size > ), and a smaller amount of clay (particle size < ). By weight, its mineral composition is about 40–40–20% concentration of sand–si ...
y, and often flooded soils, requiring warm temperatures and specific planting depths, with propagation via
rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome ( ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and Shoot (botany), shoots from its Node (botany), nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from ...
s, seeds, or tissue culture, and is harvested by hand or machine for
stolon
In biology, a stolon ( from Latin ''wikt:stolo, stolō'', genitive ''stolōnis'' – "branch"), also known as a runner, is a horizontal connection between parts of an organism. It may be part of the organism, or of its skeleton. Typically, animal ...
s, flowers, seeds, and rhizomes over several months depending on climate and variety.
It has large leaves and flowers that can regulate their temperature, produces long-living seeds, and contains bioactive alkaloids. Under favorable circumstances, the seeds of this aquatic perennial may remain viable for many years, with the oldest recorded lotus germination being from seeds 1,300 years old recovered from a dry lakebed in northeastern China. Therefore, the Chinese regard the plant as a symbol of
longevity
Longevity may refer to especially long-lived members of a population, whereas ''life expectancy'' is defined Statistics, statistically as the average number of years remaining at a given age. For example, a population's life expectancy at birth ...
.
It has a very wide native distribution, ranging from central and northern India (at altitudes up to in the southern Himalayas
), through northern Indochina and East Asia (north to the
Amur region
Amur Oblast () is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast), located on the banks of the Amur and Zeya rivers in the Russian Far East. The oblast borders Heilongjiang province of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the south.
The administrat ...
; the Russian populations have sometimes been referred to as ''Nelumbo komarovii'', with isolated locations at the
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water, described as the List of lakes by area, world's largest lake and usually referred to as a full-fledged sea. An endorheic basin, it lies between Europe and Asia: east of the Caucasus, ...
.
Today, the species also occurs in southern India, Sri Lanka, virtually all of Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and northern and eastern Australia, but this is probably the result of human translocations.
It has a very long history ( 3,000 years) of being
cultivated for its edible seeds
and is commonly cultivated in
water gardens.
It is the
national flower
In a number of countries, plants have been chosen as symbols to represent specific geographic areas. Some countries have a country-wide floral emblem; others in addition have symbols representing subdivisions. Different processes have been used t ...
of India and unofficially Vietnam. It is a highly symbolic and versatile plant used in religious offerings (especially in
Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...
and
Buddhism
Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
) and diverse culinary traditions across
Asia
Asia ( , ) is the largest continent in the world by both land area and population. It covers an area of more than 44 million square kilometres, about 30% of Earth's total land area and 8% of Earth's total surface area. The continent, which ...
, with its
flowers
Flowers, also known as blooms and blossoms, are the reproductive structures of flowering plants ( angiosperms). Typically, they are structured in four circular levels, called whorls, around the end of a stalk. These whorls include: calyx, m ...
,
seeds, and
rhizomes
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome ( ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow hori ...
valued for spiritual, cultural, and nutritional purposes. It holds deep cultural, spiritual, and religious significance across
Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...
,
Buddhism
Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
,
Jainism
Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion whose three main pillars are nonviolence (), asceticism (), and a rejection of all simplistic and one-sided views of truth and reality (). Jainism traces its s ...
,
Ismailism
Ismailism () is a branch of Shia Islam. The Isma'ili () get their name from their acceptance of Imam Isma'il ibn Jafar as the appointed spiritual successor ( imām) to Ja'far al-Sadiq, wherein they differ from the Twelver Shia, who accept ...
, and
Chinese culture
Chinese culture () is one of the Cradle of civilization#Ancient China, world's earliest cultures, said to originate five thousand years ago. The culture prevails across a large geographical region in East Asia called the Sinosphere as a whole ...
, symbolizing
purity
Purity may refer to:
Books
* ''Pureza'' (novel), a 1937 Brazilian novel by José Lins do Rego
* ''Purity'' (novel), a 2015 novel by Jonathan Franzen
** ''Purity'' (TV series), a TV series based on the novel
*''Purity'', a 2012 novel by Jackson ...
,
enlightenment,
spiritual awakening, and divine
beauty
Beauty is commonly described as a feature of objects that makes them pleasure, pleasurable to perceive. Such objects include landscapes, sunsets, humans and works of art. Beauty, art and taste are the main subjects of aesthetics, one of the fie ...
, and is widely depicted in
art
Art is a diverse range of cultural activity centered around ''works'' utilizing creative or imaginative talents, which are expected to evoke a worthwhile experience, generally through an expression of emotional power, conceptual ideas, tec ...
,
architecture
Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and construction, constructi ...
, and
literature
Literature is any collection of Writing, written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially novels, Play (theatre), plays, and poetry, poems. It includes both print and Electroni ...
.
The leaves of ''Nelumbo nucifera'' contain the flavonol
miquelianin and alkaloids such as
coclaurine and
norcoclaurine, while the plant as a whole contains bioactive compounds including
nuciferine and neferine. These constituents have been studied for their potential pharmacological effects, and the plant is used in
traditional medicine
Traditional medicine (also known as indigenous medicine or folk medicine) refers to the knowledge, skills, and practices rooted in the cultural beliefs of various societies, especially Indigenous groups, used for maintaining health and treatin ...
and marketed as a
functional food in various cultures.
Classification
The lotus is often confused with the true water lilies of the genus ''
Nymphaea
''Nymphaea'' () is a genus of hardiness (plants), hardy and tender aquatic plants in the family Nymphaeaceae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution. Many species are cultivated as ornamental plants, and many cultivars have been bred. Some ta ...
'', in particular ''
N. caerulea'', the "blue lotus." In fact, several older systems, such as the
Bentham & Hooker system (which is widely used in the Indian subcontinent), refer to the lotus by its old synonym, ''Nymphaea nelumbo''.
While all modern
plant taxonomy
Plant taxonomy is the science that finds, identifies, describes, classifies, and names plants. It is one of the main branches of taxonomy (the science that finds, describes, classifies, and names living things).
Plant taxonomy is closely allied ...
systems agree that this species belongs in the genus ''
Nelumbo'', the systems disagree as to which family ''Nelumbo'' should be placed in or whether the genus should belong in its own unique family and order. According to the
APG IV system, ''N. nucifera'', ''
N. lutea'', and their extinct relatives belong in Proteales with the
protea flowers due to genetic comparisons. Older systems, such as the
Cronquist system
The Cronquist system is a list of systems of plant taxonomy, taxonomic classification system of angiosperms, flowering plants. It was developed by Arthur Cronquist in a series of monographs and texts, including ''The Evolution and Classification of ...
, place ''N. nucifera'' and its relatives in the order Nymphaeles based on anatomical similarities.
According to the APG IV classification, the closest relatives of ''Nelumbo'' include the sycamores (
Platanaceae).
Botany

The lotus roots are planted in pond or river bottom soil, while the leaves float on the water's surface or are held well above it. The leaf stalks (petioles) can be up to long, allowing the plant to grow in water to that depth.
The
peltate
The following terms are used to describe leaf plant morphology, morphology in the description and taxonomy (biology), taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (that is, the leaf blade or 'lamina' is undivided) or compound (that is, the leaf blade ...
leaf blade or lamina can have a horizontal spread of . The leaves may be as large as in diameter.
Flower
The flowers are usually found on thick stems rising several centimeters above the leaves. They are showy and grow up to in diameter.
Some cultivated varieties have extraordinary numbers of petals. For example, the Chinese variety ''qian ban lian'' ("thousand petals lotus") can have between 3,000 and 4,000 petals in a single blossom and the Japanese variety ''ohmi myoren'' ("strange lotus") can have between 2,000 and 5,000 petals, the greatest number recorded for any species of plant.
Researchers report that the lotus has the remarkable ability to
regulate
Regulate may refer to:
* Regulation
Regulation is the management of complex systems according to a set of rules and trends. In systems theory, these types of rules exist in various fields of biology and society, but the term has slightly diff ...
the
temperature
Temperature is a physical quantity that quantitatively expresses the attribute of hotness or coldness. Temperature is measurement, measured with a thermometer. It reflects the average kinetic energy of the vibrating and colliding atoms making ...
of its
flower
Flowers, also known as blooms and blossoms, are the reproductive structures of flowering plants ( angiosperms). Typically, they are structured in four circular levels, called whorls, around the end of a stalk. These whorls include: calyx, m ...
s within a narrow range, just as humans and other
warm-blooded
Warm-blooded is a term referring to animal species whose bodies maintain a temperature higher than that of their environment. In particular, homeothermic species (including birds and mammals) maintain a stable body temperature by regulating ...
animals do. Roger S. Seymour and Paul Schultze-Motel, physiologists at the
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university, public research university based in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third-oldest university in Australia. Its main campus in the Adelaide city centre includes many Sa ...
in Australia, found that lotus flowers blooming in the
Adelaide Botanic Gardens maintained a temperature of , even when the air temperature dropped to . They suspect the flowers may be doing this to attract
cold-blooded insect
Insects (from Latin ') are Hexapoda, hexapod invertebrates of the class (biology), class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (Insect morphology#Head, head, ...
pollinator
A pollinator is an animal that moves pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female carpel, stigma of a flower. This helps to bring about fertilization of the ovules in the flower by the male gametes from the pollen grains.
Insects are ...
s. Studies published in the journals ''
Nature
Nature is an inherent character or constitution, particularly of the Ecosphere (planetary), ecosphere or the universe as a whole. In this general sense nature refers to the Scientific law, laws, elements and phenomenon, phenomena of the physic ...
'' and ''
Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences'' in 1996 and 1998 were important contributions in the field of
thermoregulation
Thermoregulation is the ability of an organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when the surrounding temperature is very different. A thermoconforming organism, by contrast, simply adopts the surrounding temperature ...
in plants. Two other species known to be able to regulate their temperature include ''
Symplocarpus foetidus''
and ''
Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum''. The red tiger lotus is native to West Africa, including Nigeria and Cameroon, and thrives in slow-moving water.
Seed
A fertilized lotus flower bears fruit that contains a cluster of 10 to 30 seeds. Each seed is ovoid 1–2.5 cm wide by 1–1.5 cm long with a brownish coat. Lotus seeds can remain viable after long periods of dormancy. In 1994, a seed from a sacred lotus, dated at roughly 1,300 years old ± 270 years, was successfully
germinated.
The traditional sacred lotus is only distantly related to ''
Nymphaea caerulea
''Nymphaea nouchali'' var. ''caerulea'', is a water lily in the genus '' Nymphaea'', a botanical variety of '' Nymphaea nouchali''.
It is an aquatic plant of freshwater lakes, pools and rivers, naturally found throughout most of the eastern h ...
'', but possesses similar chemistry. Both ''Nymphaea caerulea'' and ''Nelumbo nucifera'' contain the alkaloids
nuciferine and
aporphine.
The
genome
A genome is all the genetic information of an organism. It consists of nucleotide sequences of DNA (or RNA in RNA viruses). The nuclear genome includes protein-coding genes and non-coding genes, other functional regions of the genome such as ...
of the sacred lotus was sequenced in May 2013. A dedicated genome database lists additional genome assemblies sequenced since then.
Cultivation
The sacred lotus grows in water up to deep. The minimum water depth is about . In colder climates, having a deeper water level protects the tubers more effectively, and overall is helpful for better growth and
flower
Flowers, also known as blooms and blossoms, are the reproductive structures of flowering plants ( angiosperms). Typically, they are structured in four circular levels, called whorls, around the end of a stalk. These whorls include: calyx, m ...
ing. The sacred lotus
germinates at temperatures above .
Most varieties are not naturally cold-hardy, but may readily adapt to living outdoors year-round in USDA
hardiness zone
A hardiness zone is a geographic area defined as having a certain average annual minimum temperature, a factor relevant to the survival of many plants. In some systems other statistics are included in the calculations. The original and most widely ...
s 6 through 11 (with some growers having success in zones as low as 4 or 5); the higher the zone's number, the greater the adaptability of the plants.
In the
growing season
A season is a division of the year marked by changes in weather, ecology, and the amount of daylight. The growing season is that portion of the year in which local conditions (i.e. rainfall, temperature, daylight) permit normal plant growth. Whi ...
, from April to September (in the
northern hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of Earth that is north of the equator. For other planets in the Solar System, north is defined by humans as being in the same celestial sphere, celestial hemisphere relative to the invariable plane of the Solar ...
), the average daytime temperature needed is . In regions with low light levels in winter, the sacred lotus has a period of
dormancy
Dormancy is a period in an organism's Biological life cycle, life cycle when growth, development, and (in animals) physical activity are temporarily stopped. This minimizes metabolism, metabolic activity and therefore helps an organism to conserv ...
. The
tuber
Tubers are a type of enlarged structure that plants use as storage organs for nutrients, derived from stems or roots. Tubers help plants perennate (survive winter or dry months), provide energy and nutrients, and are a means of asexual reproduc ...
s are not cold-resistant, if removed from water, and exposed to the air; when kept underwater in soil, the energy-rich tubers can overwinter temperatures below .
If the plants are taken out of the water for wintertime storage (mostly in exceptionally cold climates), the tubers and roots must be stored in a stable, frost-free location, such as a garage, preferably in a cardboard box or container filled completely with
vermiculite
Vermiculite is a hydrous phyllosilicate mineral which undergoes significant expansion when heated. Exfoliation occurs when the mineral is heated sufficiently; commercial furnaces can routinely produce this effect. Vermiculite forms by the weathe ...
or
perlite
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high water content, typically formed by the Hydrate, hydration of obsidian. It occurs naturally and has the unusual property of greatly expanding when heated sufficiently. It is an indu ...
. Care must be taken to fully insulate the tubers.
Planting
The sacred lotus requires a
nutrient
A nutrient is a substance used by an organism to survive, grow and reproduce. The requirement for dietary nutrient intake applies to animals, plants, fungi and protists. Nutrients can be incorporated into cells for metabolic purposes or excret ...
-rich and
loam
Loam (in geology and soil science) is soil composed mostly of sand (particle size > ), silt (particle size > ), and a smaller amount of clay (particle size < ). By weight, its mineral composition is about 40–40–20% concentration of sand–si ...
y soil.
In the beginning of the summer period (from March until May in the northern hemisphere), a small part of rhizome with at least one eye is either planted in ponds or directly into a flooded field.
There are several other propagation ways via
seed
In botany, a seed is a plant structure containing an embryo and stored nutrients in a protective coat called a ''testa''. More generally, the term "seed" means anything that can be Sowing, sown, which may include seed and husk or tuber. Seeds ...
s or
bud
In botany, a bud is an undeveloped or Plant embryogenesis, embryonic Shoot (botany), shoot and normally occurs in the axil of a leaf or at the tip of a Plant stem, stem. Once formed, a bud may remain for some time in a dormancy, dormant conditi ...
s.
Furthermore,
tissue culture
Tissue culture is the growth of tissue (biology), tissues or cell (biology), cells in an artificial medium separate from the parent organism. This technique is also called micropropagation. This is typically facilitated via use of a liquid, semi-s ...
is a promising propagation method for the future to produce high volumes of uniform,
true-to-type, disease-free materials.
The first step of the cultivation is to
plough
A plough or ( US) plow (both pronounced ) is a farm tool for loosening or turning the soil before sowing seed or planting. Ploughs were traditionally drawn by oxen and horses but modern ploughs are drawn by tractors. A plough may have a wooden ...
the dry field. One round of
manure
Manure is organic matter that is used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. Most manure consists of animal feces; other sources include compost and green manure. Manures contribute to the fertility of soil by adding organic matter and nut ...
is applied after ten days, before flooding the field. To support a quick initial growth, the water level is relatively low
and increases when plants grow. Then a maximum of approximately with grid spacing of
are used to plant directly into the
mud
Mud (, or Middle Dutch) is loam, silt or clay mixed with water. Mud is usually formed after rainfall or near water sources. Ancient mud deposits hardened over geological time to form sedimentary rock such as shale or mudstone (generally cal ...
below the
soil surface.
Harvest

The
stolon
In biology, a stolon ( from Latin ''wikt:stolo, stolō'', genitive ''stolōnis'' – "branch"), also known as a runner, is a horizontal connection between parts of an organism. It may be part of the organism, or of its skeleton. Typically, animal ...
is ready to harvest two to three months after planting. It must be harvested before flowering. Harvesting the stolon is done by manual labor. For this step, the field is not drained. The stolon is pulled out of the water by pulling and shaking the young leaves in the shallow water.
The first
leaves
A leaf (: leaves) is a principal appendage of the stem of a vascular plant, usually borne laterally above ground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, stem, ...
and flowers can be harvested three months after planting. Flowers can be picked every two days during summer and every three days during the colder season. Four months after planting, the production of flowers has its climax. The harvest of flowers is usually done by hand for three to four months.
Seeds and seed pods can be harvested when they turn black four to eight months after planting. After
sun drying for two to three days, they are processed by mechanical tools to separate seed coats and embryos.
The rhizomes mature to a suitable stage for eating in approximately six to nine months.
Early varieties are harvested in July until September and late varieties from October until March, after the ponds or fields are drained.
The large,
starch
Starch or amylum is a polymeric carbohydrate consisting of numerous glucose units joined by glycosidic bonds. This polysaccharide is produced by most green plants for energy storage. Worldwide, it is the most common carbohydrate in human diet ...
-rich rhizomes are easy to dig out of the drained soil.
In small-scale production, they are harvested by hand using fork-like tools.
In Japan and on bigger farms, manual labour harvesting is fully replaced by machines.
Varieties and cultivars
Lotus
varieties have been classified according to their use into three types:
rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome ( ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and Shoot (botany), shoots from its Node (botany), nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from ...
lotus, seed lotus, and flower lotus. Varieties that show more than one of these characteristics are classified by the strongest feature.
Regarding production area in China, rhizome lotus has the largest area with , followed by seed lotus with .
Rhizome lotus
Rhizome lotus cultivars produce a higher yield and higher quality rhizomes than seed or flower lotus cultivars. Furthermore, this group grows tall and produces few to no flowers.
Cultivar
A cultivar is a kind of Horticulture, cultivated plant that people have selected for desired phenotypic trait, traits and which retains those traits when Plant propagation, propagated. Methods used to propagate cultivars include division, root a ...
s can be classified by harvest time or by the depth of rhizomes into these types:
* Pre-mature (early) cultivars are harvested before the end of July, serotinous (late) cultivars from September on, and mid-serotinous or mid-matutinal cultivars are in between these harvest times. Using pre-mature cultivars, rhizomes can be harvested earlier and sold for a higher price.
* Adlittoral, deep, and intermediate cultivars are distinguished according to the depth in which the rhizomes grow underground. Adlittoral cultivars range from depth and are often premature. They develop faster due to higher temperatures in surface soil layers. When harvested in July, adlittorals have higher yields than deeper-growing cultivars, but not necessarily when harvested in September. Rhizomes of adlittoral cultivars are crisp and good for
frying
Frying is the cooking of food in cooking oil, oil or another fat. Similar to sautéing, pan-fried foods are generally turned over once or twice during cooking to make sure that the food is evenly cooked, using tongs or a spatula, whilst sautéed ...
purposes. Deep cultivars grow more than deep. They are often serotinous and can harvest high yields. Their rhizomes are
starch
Starch or amylum is a polymeric carbohydrate consisting of numerous glucose units joined by glycosidic bonds. This polysaccharide is produced by most green plants for energy storage. Worldwide, it is the most common carbohydrate in human diet ...
-rich.
The main popular ''Nelumbo nucifera'' cultivars in China are Elian 1, Elian 4, Elian 5, 9217, Xin 1, and 00–01. The average yield of these cultivars is 7.5–15 t/ha (3.3–6.7 tons/acre) of harvest in July and 30–45 t/ha (13–20 tons/acre) of harvest in September.
In Australia, the cultivar grown for the fresh rhizome market in
Guangdong
) means "wide" or "vast", and has been associated with the region since the creation of Guang Prefecture in AD 226. The name "''Guang''" ultimately came from Guangxin ( zh, labels=no, first=t, t= , s=广信), an outpost established in Han dynasty ...
and
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
, the common rhizome cultivars are Tenno and Bitchu.
Seed lotus

The characteristics of seed lotus cultivars are a large number of
carpels
Gynoecium (; ; : gynoecia) is most commonly used as a collective term for the parts of a flower that produce ovules and ultimately develop into the fruit and seeds. The gynoecium is the innermost whorl of a flower; it consists of (one or more) ...
and seed sets as well as large seeds with better nutritional properties. Roots of these varieties are thin, fibrous, and do not form good rhizomes.
The main popular cultivars for seed production in China are Cunsanlian, Xianglian 1, Zilian 2, Jianlian, Ganlian 62, and Taikong 36. The average yield of these cultivars in China is 1.05–1.9 t/ha (0.5–0.8 tons/acre) of dry seeds and weight of thousand seeds between .
Green Jade and Vietnam-Red are recommended cultivars for seed production in Australia.
Flower lotus
Flower lotus cultivars are used exclusively for
ornamental purpose, producing many flowers and the lowest plant height.
The seed production of flower lotus is typically poor regarding yield and quality. Flower types differ in the number of
petal
Petals are modified leaves that form an inner whorl surrounding the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often brightly coloured or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''corol ...
s (single petals, double petals, or multi-petals) and their colours range from single colour in white, yellow, pink, and red to bi-colour, most often of white petals with pink tips or highlights.
The flowers are capable of producing ink used by artists such as
Morrison Polkinghorne to produce abstract images of the landscapes of southern Asia.
One example of a flower lotus is Wanlian. Also known as bowl lotus, wanlians are any miniature cultivars of ''N. nucifera'' sized between . Bowl lotuses come in various colours and numbers of
petal
Petals are modified leaves that form an inner whorl surrounding the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often brightly coloured or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''corol ...
s, and they bloom longer than other species of lotus. But together with the
rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome ( ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and Shoot (botany), shoots from its Node (botany), nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from ...
, their
seed
In botany, a seed is a plant structure containing an embryo and stored nutrients in a protective coat called a ''testa''. More generally, the term "seed" means anything that can be Sowing, sown, which may include seed and husk or tuber. Seeds ...
s are often too small or too hard to be edible.
The sacred lotus may be crossed with the
yellow lotus to produce
interspecific hybrid
In biology, a hybrid is the offspring resulting from combining the qualities of two organisms of different varieties, subspecies, species or genera through sexual reproduction. Generally, it means that each cell has genetic material from two di ...
s. A few varieties have been produced with differing appearances.
Farming
About 70% of lotus for human consumption is produced in China. In 2005, the cultivation area in China was estimated at .
A majority of lotus production takes place in managed farming systems in ponds or flooded fields like
rice
Rice is a cereal grain and in its Domestication, domesticated form is the staple food of over half of the world's population, particularly in Asia and Africa. Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice)—or, much l ...
.
The most widely used system is
crop rotation
Crop rotation is the practice of growing a series of different types of crops in the same area across a sequence of growing seasons. This practice reduces the reliance of crops on one set of nutrients, pest and weed pressure, along with the pro ...
with rice and
vegetable
Vegetables are edible parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. This original meaning is still commonly used, and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including edible flower, flo ...
s. This system is applicable if the
propagule
In biology, a propagule is any material that functions in propagating an organism to the next stage in its life cycle, such as by dispersal. The propagule is usually distinct in form from the parent organism. Propagules are produced by organisms ...
(small piece of rhizome) can be planted early in the year. The rhizomes are harvested in July, after which rice can be planted in the same field. Rice is then harvested in October. From November until March, the field stays either
free or
terricolous A terricolous lichen is a lichen that grows on the soil as a substrate. Examples include some members of the genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classificati ...
vegetables, such as
cabbage
Cabbage, comprising several cultivars of '' Brassica oleracea'', is a leafy green, red (purple), or white (pale green) biennial plant grown as an annual vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads. It is descended from the wild cabbage ( ''B.& ...
or
spinach
Spinach (''Spinacia oleracea'') is a leafy green flowering plant native to Central Asia, Central and Western Asia. It is of the order Caryophyllales, family Amaranthaceae, subfamily Chenopodioideae. Its leaves are a common vegetable consumed eit ...
, are planted. Alternatively, the vegetable can also be planted after the
harvest
Harvesting is the process of collecting plants, animals, or fish (as well as fungi) as food, especially the process of gathering mature crops, and "the harvest" also refers to the collected crops. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulses fo ...
of the lotus.
Another alternative way is not to harvest the lotus
rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome ( ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and Shoot (botany), shoots from its Node (botany), nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from ...
, even though it is already ripe. A terricolous vegetable is planted between the rhizomes into the
drained field. The rhizomes are then harvested next March.
A third way is to plant lotus in ponds or fields and raise aquatic animals such as
fish
A fish (: fish or fishes) is an aquatic animal, aquatic, Anamniotes, anamniotic, gill-bearing vertebrate animal with swimming fish fin, fins and craniate, a hard skull, but lacking limb (anatomy), limbs with digit (anatomy), digits. Fish can ...
,
shrimp
A shrimp (: shrimp (American English, US) or shrimps (British English, UK)) is a crustacean with an elongated body and a primarily Aquatic locomotion, swimming mode of locomotion – typically Decapods belonging to the Caridea or Dendrobranchi ...
, or
crab
Crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura (meaning "short tailed" in Greek language, Greek), which typically have a very short projecting tail-like abdomen#Arthropoda, abdomen, usually hidden entirely under the Thorax (arthropo ...
in the same field.
A more efficient use of the water for both, the
aquatic animal
An aquatic animal is any animal, whether vertebrate or invertebrate, that lives in a body of water for all or most of its lifetime. Aquatic animals generally conduct gas exchange in water by extracting dissolved oxygen via specialised respirato ...
s and lotus production has been identified with this planting pattern.
Use
Religious

Lotus flowers are widely used as offerings to most female deities, especially
Lakshmi
Lakshmi (; , , sometimes spelled Laxmi, ), also known as Shri (, , ), is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism, revered as the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity, beauty, fertility, sovereignty, and abundance. She along with Parvat ...
, in Hindu temples. Among male deities, lotuses are offered to
Vishnu
Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...
for prosperity and to
Shiva
Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...
for salvation. Garlands made of lotuses are used for adorning deities and lotus petals are used in
puja. Lotus seeds are also used in prayer beads. Lotuses are also offered to
the Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha (),*
*
*
was a śramaṇa, wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist lege ...
in most Buddhist temples. Lotus is also widely used in
Varamala (hindu wedding garland).
File:Seruvila lotus pooja 3.jpg, Lotus offering
File:Hindu Goddess Lakshmi in home temple.jpg, Lakshmi adorned with lotus petals
File:Light falling on a Pooja.jpg, Lotus is widely used in Hindu Pooja
File:A ritual, Hindus preparing for lotus pooja.jpg, Buddhists preparing for lotus puja in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...
File:Lotus seeds on a mala jan 10.jpg, Lotus seed on a mala
Political
The lotus is the national flower of the
Republic of India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area; the most populous country since 2023; and, since its independence in 1947, the world's most populous democracy. Bounded by ...
. The Bharatiya Janata Party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) uses lotus as its party symbol. The BJP, in the past, have used lotuses in multiple colors - pink, white, blue, red and saffron, in their party flag. In recent times, as a part of branding strategy and to make it easier for voters, BJP started using lotus logo in black-and-white in most settings as Electronic voting in India, Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in India only allow black-and-white logos.
File:BJP flag.svg, Flag of the Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP
File:BJP Flag.svg
File:Lotus flower symbol.svg, Election symbol and logo of the Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP
Albeit unofficially, the lotus is also widely recognized as a national flower and a significant component representing the Vietnamese Culture, Vietnamese culture and national identity. The lotus and its stylized symbolism have been used by almost every modern Vietnamese governments and regimes including both the Communist Party of Vietnam, communist and non-communist ones. There are advocates for the contemporary Government of Vietnam to formally designate lotus as the national flower, citing straw polls indicating very high approval from the Vietnamese citizens.
File:Biểu trưng Mặt trận Tổ quốc Việt Nam.svg, Emblem of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front, Vietnam Fatherland Front
File:Emblem of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.svg, Emblem of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha
File:Biểu trưng thành phố Hà Tĩnh, tỉnh Hà Tĩnh, Việt Nam.svg, Emblem of Hà Tĩnh, Hà Tĩnh city
File:VIetnamese biometric national identity card.jpg, Stylized lotuses decorating the Vietnamese Identity document, identity card.
File:To Lam June 2024.jpg, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, General Secretary Tô Lâm with lotus decorations behind him.
File:Communist Party of Vietnam 2016 propaganda poster celebrating voting (1).jpg, Stylized lotus symbolism as a component of Vietnamese communist propaganda.
Culinary
Rhizomes

The
rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome ( ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and Shoot (botany), shoots from its Node (botany), nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from ...
s of lotus (, , , , Sindhi language, Sindhi Beeh, ) are consumed as a vegetable in Asian countries, extensively in China, Japan, India, Pakistan (Sindh), sold whole or in cut pieces, fresh, frozen, or canned. They are fried or cooked mostly in soups, soaked in syrup or Pickling, pickled in vinegar (with sugar, chili and garlic).
[Tian, N., et al. "Isolation and preparation of flavonoids from the leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn by preparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography." ''Se pu= Chinese journal of chromatography'' 25.1 (2007): 88–92.] Lotus rhizomes have a crunchy texture and are a classic dish at many banquets, where they are deep-fried, stir-fried, or stuffed with meats or preserved fruits.
Salads with prawns, sesame oil or coriander leaves are also popular. Fresh lotus root slices are limited by a fast food browning, browning rate. Lotus root tea is consumed in Korea.
Lotus root is a popular vegetable in Sri Lanka, where it is often cooked in coconut milk gravy. In India, lotus root (also known as ''kamala kakaṛī'' in Hindi) is cooked as a dry curry or Curry, Sabzî.
Japan is one of the primary users of the rhizomes, representing about 1% of all vegetables consumed. Japan grows its own lotus but still must import 18,000 tons of lotus rhizome each year, of which China provides 15,000 tons yearly.
Rhizomes contain high amounts of
starch
Starch or amylum is a polymeric carbohydrate consisting of numerous glucose units joined by glycosidic bonds. This polysaccharide is produced by most green plants for energy storage. Worldwide, it is the most common carbohydrate in human diet ...
(31.2%) without characteristic taste or odor. The texture is comparable to a raw potato. The binding and disintegration properties of isolated Nelumbo starch have been compared with maize and potato starch; Nelumbo starch is shown to be superior as an adjuvant in the Tablet (pharmacy), preparation of tablets. When dried, ''N. nucifera'' rhizomes can also be made into flour, another popular use of this vegetable.
Pips
Lotus pip tea is consumed in Korea.
Seeds

Fresh lotus seeds ( zh, s=wikt:莲子, 莲子, t=wikt:蓮子, 蓮子, p=liánzǐ, cy=lìhnjí) are nutritious but also vulnerable to Food contaminant, microbial contamination, especially fungal infections. Therefore, mostly dry lotus seed-based products are found on the market. Traditional sun baking combined with charcoal processing dries the seeds but results in a loss of nutrients. Freeze-drying, Freeze-dried lotus seeds have a longer shelf life and maintain original nutrients, while no differences in flavour are found after rehydration compared to fresh lotus seeds.
Dry stored lotus seeds are sensitive to moisture and Mold (fungus), mold infestation; researchers continue to explore new ways to preserve fresh lotus seeds, such as food irradiation, radiation processing.
Lotus seeds can be processed into fillings for Mooncake, moon cake, lotus seed noodles and food in the forms of Lotus seed paste, paste, fermented milk, rice wine, ice cream, popcorn (''phool makhana''), and others, with lotus seeds as the main raw material. Traditional Chinese medicine claims that fresh lotus seed wine has thirst-quenching, spleen-healing, and anti-diarrheal advantages after drinking, attributed to unspecified bioactive compounds.
[Wu C, Xia Y, Tang X (2013) Optimization of the fermentation process for lotus rice-wine production by response surface methodology. Mod Food Sci Technol 29:1675–1679] Lotus seed tea is consumed in Korea, and lotus embryo tea is consumed in China and Vietnam.
Stems
Young lotus Plant stem, stems are used as a salad ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine and as a vegetable ingredient for some soup and curry in Thailand, such as ''keang som sai bua'' (, lotus stem sour soup) and ''keang kati sai bua'' (, lotus stem in coconut milk curry).
In North India, northern and East India, eastern regions of India, the stalk of the flower is used to prepare a soup, ''kamala gaṭṭē kī sabzī'' () and an appetizer, ''kamala kakaṛī pakauṛē'' (). In South Indian states, the lotus stem is sliced, marinated with salt to dry, and the dried slices are fried and used as a side dish. In Kerala () and Tamil Nadu, this end product is called ''thamara vathal''.
In the Philippines, an indigenous variety called ''tukal'' is used as the main ingredient in dishes with coconut milk. The stems and petals can be bought in markets when in season.
Leaves
In China and Korea, Lotus tea#lotus leaf tea, lotus leaf tea () is made from the leaves of the lotus. It is also used as a wrap for steaming
rice
Rice is a cereal grain and in its Domestication, domesticated form is the staple food of over half of the world's population, particularly in Asia and Africa. Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice)—or, much l ...
and sticky rice and other steamed dishes in Southeast Asian cuisine, such as ''lo mai gai'' in Chinese cuisine or ''kao hor bai bua'' (), fried rice wrapped in lotus leaf in Thai cuisine.
Vietnamese also use lotus leaves to wrap green young rice, ''cốm'', which is eaten in autumn. The leaves impart a unique scent to the soft, moist rice.
Flowers

In Korea, lotus flower tea () is made from the dried petals of the white lotus.
The stamens can be dried and made into a fragrant herbal tea ( zh, t=wikt:蓮花, 蓮花wikt:茶, 茶, p=liánhuā cha, cy=lìhnfāa chah), or used to impart a scent to tea leaves (particularly in Vietnam). This Vietnamese lotus tea is called ''trà sen'', ''chè sen'', or ''chè ướp sen''.
Risks
The petals, leaves, and
rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome ( ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and Shoot (botany), shoots from its Node (botany), nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from ...
can also all be eaten raw, but there is a risk of parasite transmission (e.g., ''Fasciolopsis buski''): it is therefore recommended that they be cooked before eating.
Use in water treatment
''Nelumbo nucifera'' shows high potential for usage in wastewater treatment removing polluting compounds
and heavy metals.
It is able to grow in variable water conditions and in low light intensity.
Various studies show the successful use of ''N. nucifera'' to counteract water eutrophication.
The leaves of the floating lotus reduce sunlight reaching the lower part of the water. This suppresses algae growth in ''N. nucifera'' aquatic systems and thus, the oxygen content is up to 20% higher than in other aquatic plant systems.
Due to intense agricultural practices, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution are major problems in aquatic systems. ''N. nucifera'' is able to assimilate a higher content of phosphorus than aquatic plants currently used for water remediation (such as Pontederia crassipes, water hyacinth). It also assimilates nitrogen ("denitrification") and creates a habitat for bacterial growth in the water body.
Through rhizofiltration, heavy metals – including arsenic, copper, and cadmium – can be removed efficiently from the water.
The results observed are impressive showing 96% of copper and 85% cadmium metals removed after a seven-day incubation period.
The accumulation of heavy metals doesn't show morphological symptoms of metal toxicity;
however, the rhizome quality for human consumption needs further study.
Storage and commercialization
Currently, most rhizomes are consumed fresh, and it is not common to store them due to their poor shelf life performance.
This limits export possibilities for low-income production countries in Asia. Rhizomes quickly lose water, oxidation occurs and nutrient composition changes within a short time after harvest. Optimal storage temperatures range between .
There are three different approaches to storing rhizomes. By stacking the rhizomes, they are storable and remain fresh for about three weeks. Special stacking with silver sand and soil results in five to six layers that prevent water loss, thus, the rhizome stays fresh for up to two months.
However, the method is not suitable for commercialization but rather for home use. Hydrogen sulfide fumigation reduces enzymatic browning and therefore ensures rhizome quality.
Dipping the rhizomes in a salt solution prevents oxidation and bacterial reproduction, which allows storage for up to five months and greater export ability. This treatment is related to the high cost and inefficient cleaning process before eating the rhizomes.
Use in bioengineering
''Nelumbo nucifera'' contains some thermal-stable proteins that might be useful in protein bioengineering processes. The proteins are characterized by seed longevity used for cell protection and repair under stress. There are also several indications that compounds of ''N. nucifera'' are used in drug fabrication in human health research for multiple purposes. Lotus leaves possess Hydrophobe, hydrophobic characteristics, attributed to a waxy coat that prevents water from adhering to the surface. This attribute has influenced the conception of the "lotus effect" in biomimicry and engineering, guiding the design of materials that resist water and remain self-cleaning. Researchers at the National University of Singapore have utilized the water-repelling structure as inspiration for developing eAir, an aero-elastic sensor capable of detecting subtle pressure changes or other environmental stimuli.
Other uses
The distinctive dried seed heads, which resemble the spouts of watering cans, are widely sold throughout the world for decorative purposes and for dried Floristry, flower arranging.
In Asia, the petals are sometimes used for garnish, while the large leaves are used as a wrap for food, not frequently eaten (for example, as a wrapper for ''zongzi''). Lotus leaves are also used to serve food in various cultures.
A unique fabric called lotus silk, from the lotus plant fibers, is produced only at Inle Lake, Myanmar, and in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This thread is used for weaving special robes for Buddha images called ''kya thingan'' (lotus robe).
Chemical composition
The flavonol
miquelianin, as well as the alkaloids (+)-(1''R'')-
coclaurine and (−)-(1''S'')-
norcoclaurine, can be found in the leaves of ''N. nucifera''. The plant also contains
nuciferine, neferine, and many other benzylisoquinoline alkaloids with medicinal properties.
Health properties and nutrients
Traditional medicine
All parts of ''Nelumbo nucifera'' are edible, with the rhizome and seeds being the main consumption parts. Traditionally rhizomes, leaves, and seeds have been used as Traditional medicine, folk medicines, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese traditional medicine, and oriental medicine.
[Khare CP. ''Indian Herbal Remedies: Rational Western Therapy, Ayurvedic, and Other Traditional Usage, Botany'', 1st edn. USA: Springer, 2004: 326–327.][Sridhar KR, Bhat R. Lotus: a potential nutraceutical source. ''J Agri Technol'' 2007; 3: 143–155.] In Chinese medicine, seeds are still used as ().
Lotus rhizomes and seeds and their processing by-products are widely consumed in Asia, the Americas, and Oceania for high content of physiologically active substances.
Especially in China, lotus seeds are popular with a cultural history going back about 3000 years. As early as the Han dynasty, Han Dynasty, lotus seeds were already recorded as sweet, astringent, nourishing the heart and kidney in "Shen Nong's Herbal Classic". Nowadays there are 22 varieties for the four known Chinese lines, which are found particularly in Jianning County, Jianning (still called "the town of Jianlian lotus seeds in China") and Guangchang County, Guangchang ("the town of white lotus seeds in China").
These days the perennial aquatic herb is gaining popularity because of its nutraceutical and historical importance
It will be of economic value if the different parts of lotus can be developed as
functional food.
Because of its special role in human health and richness in nutrients and bioactive substances, the Chinese Ministry of Health approved the use of ''N. nucifera'' as both "food and Medicinal plants, medicine."
Rhizomes
The rhizomes are long, in diameter, yellowish white to yellowish brown, smooth, and with Plant stem, nodes and internodes.
Lotus root is a moderate-calorie root vegetable (100 g of root stem provides about 74 calories) and is composed of several vitamins, minerals, and
nutrient
A nutrient is a substance used by an organism to survive, grow and reproduce. The requirement for dietary nutrient intake applies to animals, plants, fungi and protists. Nutrients can be incorporated into cells for metabolic purposes or excret ...
s: 83.80% water, 0.11% fat, 1.56% reducing sugar, 0.41% sucrose, 2.70% crude protein, 9.25% starch, 0.80% fiber, 0.10% ash and 0.06% calcium.
100 g of root provides 44 mg of vitamin C or 73% of RDA (nutrition), daily recommended values (RDA).
Lotus rhizome and its extracts have shown diuretic, psychopharmacological, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, Hypoglycemia, hypoglycemic, antipyretic and Antioxidant, antioxidant activities.
Seeds
Lotus seeds are mostly oval or spherical, with sizes varying according to varieties. They are generally 1.2–1.8 cm long, with diameters ranging from 0.8 to 1.4 cm and a weight of 1.1–1.4 g. After lotus seeds have been decorticated and peeled, they are edible and rich in nutrients and can be dried for storage. Their nutritional values can differ due to culture environments and varieties.
Not only do these seeds contain proteins of high quality and are rich in a variety of essential amino acids including high contents of albumin (42%) and globulin (27%), they also contain unsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, Calcium metabolism, calcium, Human iron metabolism, iron, Zinc metabolism, zinc, phosphorus and other trace elements. They also provide water-soluble polysaccharides, alkaloids, flavonoids, superoxide dismutase, and other bioactive components.
Lotus seeds also contain particularly large amounts of vitamins, including Vitamin B1, VB1, Riboflavin, VB2, Vitamin B6, VB6 and Vitamin E.
The functional components (polyphenols, protein, polysaccharides) in ''N. nucifera'' seeds can help combat high Hypertension, blood pressure, Diabetes mellitus, diabetes, and gallstones.
After lotus Germination, seed germination, crude protein and fat levels in the endosperm significantly increase. It is therefore an important method to enhance its nutritional quality.
File:Lotus field.jpg, Lotus field
File:Nelumbo Nucifera fruit - botanic garden Adelaide.jpg, Fruit; the dried seed cup is commonly used in flower arrangements.
File:Nelumbo nucifera 004.JPG, Developing fruit
File:Nelumbo July 2011-3.jpg, Bud of ''Nelumbo nucifera''
File:Nelumbo nucifera LOTUS bud.jpg, Bud
File:Nelumbo-nucifera-3- 1200.jpg, Flower
Cultural and religious significance

''Nelumbo nucifera'' is a lotus species with historical, cultural and spiritual significance. It is a sacred flower in both Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the path to spiritual awakening and enlightenment. Lotus is closely associated with Goddess
Lakshmi
Lakshmi (; , , sometimes spelled Laxmi, ), also known as Shri (, , ), is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism, revered as the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity, beauty, fertility, sovereignty, and abundance. She along with Parvat ...
and her consort
Vishnu
Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...
. In Hindu iconography, Lakshmi is shown either in seated posture or as standing on top of a lotus flower and holding lotuses in two of her four hands. Vishnu is always portrayed with a lotus in one of his hands. Lotus or Padma (Vishnu), Padma exemplifies the path of one who leads a Dharma, dharmic life. One can stay in the darkness, trapped in the comfort of the decaying leaves and murky water or struggle to lead a dharmic life upholding righteousness, following the light and eventually liberate oneself of his/her past thereby leading a prosperous peaceful happy life. Lotus also signifies moksha. The roots of lotus plant intertwined in mud representing the cycle of life and death and the lotus flower symbolizing the serene blissful state of moksha. Lotus is also used to depict the awakening of Kundalini energy in the Tantra, tantric system of
Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...
.
In Hindu literature, lotus petals are used as a simile to adore beautiful eyes of gods and goddesses. For instance, the word Kamalanayana (lotus-eyed) refers to
Vishnu
Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...
and it extols his beautiful eyes and praise him for being the one who holds the gaze/adoration of Kamala (name), Kamala (
Lakshmi
Lakshmi (; , , sometimes spelled Laxmi, ), also known as Shri (, , ), is one of the principal goddesses in Hinduism, revered as the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity, beauty, fertility, sovereignty, and abundance. She along with Parvat ...
).
Epic Mahabharata details the use of multi-tiered military formation that resembles a blooming lotus called Chakravyuha, Padmavyuha and its disc-shaped variant Chakravyuha in the 18-day long Kurukshetra War, Kurukshethra war.
Lotus position, Padmasana (Lotus Pose) in Yoga and Sahasrara - thousand petalled lotus chakra in tantra are some examples of the use of lotus imagery.
Lotus has also inspired Indian/Indian people, Bharatiya architecture and can be seen in domes resembling lotus buds, pillars resembling lotus stalk, arches resembling inverted lotus and other lotus engravings in Hindu/Buddhist temples.
File:Khajuraho India, Parvati Temple 05.JPG, Parvati Temple with lotus bud domes at Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Khajuraho
File:Hampi si1266.jpg, Lotus bud shaped arches at Hampi
File:Lotus, a typical Hindu temple motive, in red sandstone, Qutb complex.jpg, An Indian lotus motif on a Hindu temple
File:Lotus Mahal at Hampi, Karnataka.jpg, Lotus Mahal at Hampi
File:Lotus temple Delhi.jpg, Lotus Temple, Lotus temple, Delhi
In Asian art, a lotus throne is a stylized lotus flower used as the seat or base for a figure. It is the normal pedestal for divine figures in Buddhist art and Hindu art and is often seen in Jain art. Originating in Indian art, it followed Indian religions to East Asia in particular. Lotus flowers are also often held by figures.
The ''Nelumbo nucifera'', which is also called (Nilufar Abi in Persian), can be seen in many reliefs of the Achaemenid period (552 BC) such as the statue of Anahita in the Persepolis. The lotus flower was included in Kaveh the blacksmith's Derafsh and later as the flag of the Sasanian Empire Derafsh Kaviani. Today, it is the symbol of Iranians Solar Hijri calendar.
The lotus flower is also mentioned in the Bible. The lotus flower also holds cultural and religious significance in Isma'ilism, Ismaili Muslim and related South Asian traditions. For example, in South Asian Ismaili literature, the lotus is compared to the pure soul. A poem describes the lotus' beauty, describing how its delicate white petals remain pure and beautiful, despite its murky environment. Similarly, a pure soul is part of this world, yet is not of this world, much like the circumstances of the lotus. The poem further emphasizes the importance of true knowledge or gnosis, which is likened to the pure rainwater that allows the lotus to flourish. Ismaili belief holds that the true guide provides this true knowledge, without which the pure soul cannot survive. Just as the lotus flower would rather die than drink from a reeking swamp, the pure soul also seeks nourishment solely through true knowledge.
In Chinese culture, the lotus is known as “Lianhua” (蓮花). The Chinese characters “蓮” (蓮) and “花” (花) represent the leaves and flowers of the plant respectively. The lotus holds important cultural significance in Chinese Buddhism, symbolizing purity, enlightenment, and the unfolding of the spiritual self.
See also
* Lotus silk
* Bingdi lotus
* List of vegetables
* ''The Lotos-Eaters''
* Lotus (plant), Lotus
* Lotus position
* Lotus-eaters
* Palmette
* Tulsi
References
*Getty, Alice, ''The gods of northern Buddhism : their history, iconography and progressive evolution through the northern Buddhist countries'', 1914, Oxford
fully online
External links
*
* for aquarium
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