The lotus flower appeared in legends pertaining to Ancient India. It played an important part in Ancient Indian religion. The flower is generally pink or white in color, and the Lotus plant is the only plant it the world to flower and fruit simultaneously. It’s hard to imagine that something of such breathtaking beauty can emerge from the depths of a muddy swamp. Growing from the mud at the bottom of a pond or a swamp, the wondrous Lotus flower emerges to the top with 15 or more spreading oval petals and a strange seedcase at its center.
Lotus Flower Symbol
The Lotus is an important flower in a lot of religions and theosophically is a much-revered flower and is therefore subjected to endless symbolic interpretation by different cultures. However due to its ‘spontaneous’ generation, it is accepted all over the world as a symbol of purity and divine birth. It is also said to represent one of the core principles of Hindu philosophy, that of birth and rebirth because it closes its petals and sinks underwater every night only to rise again at dawn. Because its seed already has within it perfectly formed embryo leaves and whole plantlets -- even to the flowers -- this water lily symbolizes the recalling of the universe from the Eternal at the beginning of a great solar cycle. The lotus is called "the child of the Universe bearing the likeness of its mother in its bosom” by Madame H.P.Blavatsky. The Lotus flower is also used for the different flower tattoos and is widely prevelent nowadays.
From some accounts, after the occurrence of the first ‘OM’, “a wondrous golden lotus, resplendent as the sun, floated upon the lonely water” which was the ocean. The three great gods of Hindu tradition, Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva emerged from the ‘OM’ and are represented as being seated on lotus seats. Vishnu’s consort Lakshmi was born out of the ocean on a White lotus which became her symbol. She is the goddess of wealth and wisdom and is omnipresent just as Vishnu is all pervading.
If we look at Buddhism, it is said that on the day that Gautam Buddha was born, a lotus flower sprang up from the earth. As one who achieved enlightenment on earth, the Buddha was given the honor of a lotus throne because the lotus is a symbol of ‘dwija’ or twice born.
Lotus Flower In Popular Culture
Lotus flower jewelry is quiet a rage in the western world today. Wearing pendants and earrings shaped like the Lotus is considered an epitome of style and elegance. Blue emeralds are molded into jewelry which resembles the blue lotus flower. Lotus flower tattoo’s are especially designed and advertised these days to draw in younger crowds. However, it does sadden one a bit to see that amongst all this commercialization, the true origin, meaning and significance of this enigmatic flower are set to become obsolete!
Geschenkideen