Signification du Lotus et de la Rose dans le bouddhisme

What place do the lotus and the rose hold in Buddhism?

The meanings of the lotus have made this flower one of the bases of teaching in the Buddhism. Indeed, despite its roots anchored in the mud, the lotus flourishes on the surface. From its flower emanates a sweet fragrance. Buddhism compares the lotus to the elevation of the human being above his sufferings to reach enlightenment. To learn about this flower, its history and what it represents, follow the guide.

Meaning and symbol of the lotus flower

The lotus is a sacred plant in India and in many cultures. Its roots grow mainly in muddy swamps and its flower blooms on the surface. Its petals are radiantly pure as it springs from the muddy waters.

For this characteristic, the lotus flower symbolizes purity and beauty in Buddhism. In this philosophy, the lotus flower represents purification of consciousness who was born in darkness. The drawing lotus flower also symbolizes luck. The lotus blossoming environment of muddy water serves as an example to man. It is by overcoming darkness that it is possible to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Indeed, muddy water represents the universe of suffering as well as the temptations to which man is exposed. The immaculate cleanliness of the flower symbolizes spiritual elevation and the capacity for self-healing.

The lotus is one of the 8 auspicious signs of Tibetan Buddhism. It symbolizes the capacity of every human being to reach the state of Buddha or the enlightened being. Indeed, it is the only plant in the world that emerges from the darkness of the mud to flourish out of the water. According to Buddha’s teachings, anyone, regardless of their life condition, can illuminate like the lotus. Beauty and wisdom must be drawn from the impurity of muddy waters.

Just like the Lotus flower, Buddha also wants his disciplines not to be soiled by mud. He also wants his disciples not to let themselves be influenced by material things, represented by mud. Like the lotus, Buddha wishes them to rise to seek enlightenment and fulfill their spiritual missions.

Lotus flower: meaning, symbol and history

Besides Buddhism, other religions and cultures have their own history and lotus meanings. In Egyptian culture, for example, the lotus flower symbolizes the creation of the world. Indeed, the petals of the lotus close during the night and then push back at dawn. With this characteristic, the god Ra or god of the sun is associated with it. Like the lotus flower, it hides in darkness at night and is reborn every morning. In ancient Egypt, the lotus flower also symbolizes birth and rebirth after death. Indeed, in the hieroglyphs, the lotus represents the place of birth, but also the nuptial bed of Osiris and Isis.

In Hinduism, the meanings of the lotus are associated with purity of deities. Indeed, most of the gods are represented in a seated or standing position with a lotus flower in their hands. According to Hindu traditions, the god Brahma was born from a lotus that grew at Vishnu’s navel. The god Krishna is also described as “the eye of the lotus”.

In the Middle Ages, the lotus flower was used as an emblem of the Latin and Greek Churches. In the Christian religion, the Archangel Gabriel appears to the Virgin Mary holding a stem of white lily in her hand. The meaning of fleur-de-lys is associated with that of the lotus.

There lotus posture is also a well-known position in yoga and meditation. It is a seated position, with the ankles crossed and the soles of the feet turned towards the sky. The back is kept straight and the arms rest on the knees. According to practitioners, the lotus position allows access to the highest level of concentration for meditation.

Thanks to all these inspiring symbolisms, many people achieve wrist lotus flower tattoos. Indeed, the lotus flower also represents the path of personal and spiritual development. Doing a lotus tattoo allows these people to mark the change they want to start in their lives. The lotus tattoo also allows you to convey a spiritual message to those around you.

Meaning of the lotus according to its color

All lotuses grow the same way, but their color depends on the medium in which they grow. The colors of the lotus also each have their meaning. First of all there is the white lotus which symbolizes purity on a physical and spiritual level. Its flower is often associated with peace in the environment and spirituality. The white lotus also has special characteristics. Like the human body, its flower maintains an internal temperature of 35°C. The seeds of the white lotus can live without water for 5 millennia.

The blue lotus symbolizes wisdom, the state of perfection. It also refers to the victory of the spirit over material things. The blue lotus is also very present in Buddhist art. It is always represented partially open and nothing shows in its center. This semi-open bud of the blue lotus represents intelligence and knowledge.

Furthermore, there are purple lotuses. They represent the mystical world and are often associated with esoteric sects. In general, the purple lotus is always depicted in the form of a bud or partially open. In Buddhism, the 8 petals of the purple lotus represent the noble eightfold path. This is one of the most important teachings of Buddha. According to Buddhist philosophy, following the Noble Eightfold Path leads to self-enlightenment.

There are also red lotuses which refer to love and compassion. In other words, any positive feeling emanating from the heart is represented by the red lotus. Finally, in Buddhist philosophy, the pink lotus flower represents Buddha himself.

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