Folklore, Legends, Landscapes, and Food about the Lotus

Lotus was introduced to Egypt around 500 B.C., probably by the Persians. The "lotus buds" that adorned the tops of temple pillars were modeled after water lilies, and Homer's epic poem "Odyssey" (Odyssey) is actually about drinking a drink made from date palms (which have nothing to do with the lotus) and entering a state of blissful oblivion. Describing Egyptian plants, the Greek writer Herodotus wrote: "In the rivers grow lilies like roses, with fruits in pods like wasp's nests, and many fruits the size of olive kernels to be eaten, either fresh or dried." What he was talking about was obviously the lotus flower.

The lotus flower, which comes out of the mud, is a major Buddhist symbol denoting purity and cessation. It represents the prime stage of all activities which are performed to completely avoid the error of falling into the cycle of rebirth. The lotus throne on which Buddhas and Bodhisattvas sit or stand symbolizes their divine origin. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are imagined to be white and beautiful, with absolute purity of body, speech and mind. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas appear in the cycle of rebirths, but they are in no way contaminated by impure objects or by the obstacles of the mind and heart.