Lotus Flowers, Flower Market, Bangkok, Thailand
The lotus flower has multiple meanings in Buddhism. It grows in muddy water, and it is this environment that gives the flower its first and most literal meaning: rising and blooming above the murk to achieve enlightenment.
The second meaning, which is related to the first, is purification. The lotus resembles the purifying of the spirit which is born into murkiness. The third meaning refers to faithfulness. Those who are working to rise above the muddy waters will need to be faithful followers.
The color is also relevant to the meaning of the lotus flower in Buddhism. A white lotus refers to purity of the mind and the spirit. The red lotus refers to compassion and love. The blue lotus refers to common sense; it uses wisdom and logic to create enlightenment. The pink lotus represents the history of Buddha and the historical legends of the Buddha. A purple lotus speaks of spirituality and mysticism. Finally, the gold lotus represents all achievement of all enlightenment, especially in the Buddha.
The stage of growth the lotus flower is in represents a different stage of enlightenment. A closed lotus flower represents the time before a Buddhist follower found Buddha or enlightenment. A lotus flower fully bloomed and open represents full enlightenment and self-awareness.
The mud represents an importance in the meaning of the lotus flower in Buddhism. All humans are born in a world where there is suffering. This suffering is a vital part of the human experience; it makes us stronger and teaches us to resist the temptation of evil. The mud shows us who we are and teaches us to choose the right path over the easy one.
Finally, the lotus flower represents rebirth, both in a figurative and a literal sense. Rebirth can be a change of ideas, an acceptance of Buddha where there once was none, the dawn after one’s darkest day, a renaissance of beliefs or the ability to see past wrongs. The lotus flower in Buddhism represents rebirth as a reincarnation, such as in the Buddhist religion, when a soul leaves this world in its present form to be reborn in another.
Lotus Flowers, Flower Market, Bangkok, Thailand
The lotus flower has multiple meanings in Buddhism. It grows in muddy water, and it is this environment that gives the flower its first and most literal meaning: rising and blooming above the murk to achieve enlightenment.
The second meaning, which is related to the first, is purification. The lotus resembles the purifying of the spirit which is born into murkiness. The third meaning refers to faithfulness. Those who are working to rise above the muddy waters will need to be faithful followers.
The color is also relevant to the meaning of the lotus flower in Buddhism. A white lotus refers to purity of the mind and the spirit. The red lotus refers to compassion and love. The blue lotus refers to common sense; it uses wisdom and logic to create enlightenment. The pink lotus represents the history of Buddha and the historical legends of the Buddha. A purple lotus speaks of spirituality and mysticism. Finally, the gold lotus represents all achievement of all enlightenment, especially in the Buddha.
The stage of growth the lotus flower is in represents a different stage of enlightenment. A closed lotus flower represents the time before a Buddhist follower found Buddha or enlightenment. A lotus flower fully bloomed and open represents full enlightenment and self-awareness.
The mud represents an importance in the meaning of the lotus flower in Buddhism. All humans are born in a world where there is suffering. This suffering is a vital part of the human experience; it makes us stronger and teaches us to resist the temptation of evil. The mud shows us who we are and teaches us to choose the right path over the easy one.
Finally, the lotus flower represents rebirth, both in a figurative and a literal sense. Rebirth can be a change of ideas, an acceptance of Buddha where there once was none, the dawn after one’s darkest day, a renaissance of beliefs or the ability to see past wrongs. The lotus flower in Buddhism represents rebirth as a reincarnation, such as in the Buddhist religion, when a soul leaves this world in its present form to be reborn in another.