Lotus+Research

(http://www.schubart.net/images/LotusFlower.jpeg) [|"Dish with Eight Buddhist Treasures [China (2007.187)". In //Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History//. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/yuan/ho_2007.187.htm (February 2008) ]] [|Anonymous. "Buddhist Lotus Symbol." ReligionFacts. 28 January. 2007. Accessed 8 September 2009.<][]>.
 * Not just a Buddhism symbol; used around the world
 * India
 * China
 * Egypt
 * Islam
 * One of the Eight Auspicious Symbols in Buddhism
 * One of Buddhism's most recognized symbol
 * Appears in all kinds of art across Buddhist cultures
 * It's growth pattern represents the progression of the soul
 * Roots are in the mud--early mud of materialism
 * Stem grows through the water--waters of experience
 * Scented flower lies in the sunlight above the water--bright sunshine of enlightenment
 * The heart is like an unopened lotus. When the virtues of Buddha reaches it, the lotus blooms
 * Buddha sits on a lotus bloom
 * This is because a blossomed lotus flower represents reaching nirvana
 * Every important Buddhist god or goddess is somehow associated with the lotus
 * Either sitting on it or holding it in their hands
 * When standing, each foot is sometimes on a lotus bloom
 * Each color of the flower has a different symbolism
 * White: represents the state of spiritual perfection and mental purity
 * Pink: supreme lotus; associated w/ Buddha
 * Red: original nature & purity of the heart; lotus of love, and compassion
 * Blue: victory of the spirit over the senses; signifies wisdom or knowledge
 * Purple: mysticism

[|O'brien, Barbara. "Buddhist Symbols: The Lotus." About. 27 February. 2008. Accessed 8 September 2009. http://buddhism.about.com/b/2008/02/27/buddhist-symbols-the-lotus.htm] [|Eva Wilson] [|. "] [|Lotus] [|."] [|//Grove Art Online//] [|.][|//Oxford Art Online//][|.] [|10 Sep. 2009] [| <] [|http://www.oxfordartonline.com/subscriber/article/grove/art/T052080] [|>.]
 * Lotus grows out of mud. It stem grows through mucky water but the blossom opens beautifully above the water, in sunlight.
 * Buddhist beliefs are that it represents the true nature of someone.
 * Portrays their journey into Nirvana and enlightenment.
 * Is one of the 'Eight Auspicious Symbols'
 * Unopened lotus blossom symbolizes the spirit or heart of one before reaching enlightenment.
 * Based on certain species of water-lily.
 * In many images of Buddha, he is seen sitting or standing on opened lotus (portraying that he has reached enlightenment/Nirvana).
 * On arches of Buddhist shrines (stupas); Buddhist art caused lotus to gain importance as a symbol; on many scrolls.
 * Very important in Egyptian culture, and Islam.