Nelumbo nucifera is known by a number of common names, including Sacred Lotus, Red Lotus, Indian Lotus, Bean of India and Sacred Water-lily. Botanically, Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn.) may also be referred to by its former names, Nelumbium speciosum (Willd.) or Nymphaea nelumbo. This plant is an aquatic perennial, but if its seeds are preserved under favorable circumstances, they may remain viable for many years. In ancient times N. nucifera, along with the closely-related Sacred Blue Lotus of the Nile (Nymphaea caerulea), was common along the banks of the River Nile in Egypt. The Pharoic Egyptians venerated the Lotus and used it in worship. For this reasons, the flowers, fruit and sepals of both plants were widely depicted in religious architectural motifs. From Egypt, N. nucifera was carried to Assyria and became widespread throughout Persia, India and China. It may also have been locally indiginous throughout Indo-China, but there is some doubt about this. In 1787 it was first brought into horticulture in Western Europe as a stove-house water-lily under the patronage of Sir Joseph Banks and can be seen in modern botanical garden collections where heating is provided. Today it is rare or extinct in the wild in Africa but widely naturalized in southern Asia and Australia, where it is commonly cultivated in water gardens. It is the National Flower of India.

The roots of Nelumbo nucifera are planted in the soil of the pond or river bottom, while the leaves float on top of the water surface. The flowers are usually found on thick stems rising several centimeters above the water. The plant normally grows up to a height of about 150 cm and a horizontal spread of up to 3 meters, but some unverified reports place the height as high as over 5 meters. The leaves may be as large as 60 cm in diameter, while the showy flowers can be up to 20 cm in diameter.

There are a number of different cultivars, the flower colours varying from snow white to yellow to a light pink. It is hardy to USDA Zone 5. The plant can be propagated from seeds or rhizomes.

Uses

The flowers, seeds, young leaves and rhizomes are all edible. In Asia, the petals are sometimes used for garnish, while the large leaves are used as a wrap for food. The rhizome (called 藕 in Chinese; pinyin: ǒu) is a common soup or stir-fry ingredient and is the part most commonly consumed. Petals, leaves, and rhizome can also all be eaten raw, though transmission of parasites should be a concern (e.g. Fasciolopsis buski). The stamens can be dried and made into a fragrant herbal tea. The lotus seeds or nuts are quite versatile, and can be eaten raw or dried and popped like popcorn. They can also be boiled down until soft and made into a paste. Combined with sugar, lotus seed paste is a common ingredient in pastries such as mooncakes, daifuku and rice flour pudding.

Lotus roots (called bhe in some parts of India and Pakistan) are used as a vegetable.

Various parts of the sacred lotus are also used in traditional Asian herbal medicine.

The distinctive 'dried seed heads' resemble watering-cans, are widely sold throughout the world for decorative purposes and for 'dried flower' arranging.

Religious symbolism

Hindus associate the lotus blossom with creation mythology, and with the gods Vishnu, Brahma, and Lakshmi. From ancient times the lotus has been a divine symbol in Hindu tradition. It is often used as an example of divine beauty, for example Sri Krishna is often described as the 'Lotus-Eyed One'. Its unfolding petals suggest the expansion of the soul. The growth of its pure beauty from the mud of its origin holds a benign spiritual promise. Recall that both Brahma and Lakshmi, the divinities of potence and wealth, have the lotus symbol associated with them as their seats. In Hindi it is called कमल (Kamal) which is also a popular name for women and at times as prefix for males in India.

The lotus flower is quoted extensively within Puranic and Vedic literature, for example.

One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water. Bhagavad Gita 5.10

Though just a flower, the lotus has many legends in regard to its mythical origin, which its great spiritual significance and the status with which a flower is not usually endowed, has inspired. More prominent is the legend of 'Samudra-manthana' - ocean churning.

It is said that once gods and demons reached an agreement that they would jointly churn the ocean to obtain from it nectar that it hid in its bottom. When the churning was in process, the ocean revealed fourteen precious jewels and lotus with Lakshmi mounting it was one of them.

Borrowing from Hinduism, in Buddhist symbolism, the lotus represents purity of body, speech, and mind, floating above the muddy waters of attachment and desire. The Buddha is often depicted sitting on a giant lotus leaf or blossom.

See also

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• Lotus
• Lotus Position
• Nelumbo

References and external links

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• The Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
• Plant Cultures: botany, history and uses of sacred lotus
• Lotus: From a Pond to a Palace Dome by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr Daljeet.
• Pacific Island Ecosystems: Nelumbo nucifera

National symbols of India | Proteales | Chinese cuisine | Root vegetables

Nelumbo nucifera | ハス | Лотос | Sen hồng | 荷花