The lotus (nelumbo nucifera) represents beauty, purity, grace, elegance, perfection and non-attachment.  The lotus has often been used in songs and poems and is an allegory for ideal feminine attributes.

The flower of the lotus is said to symbolize the journey and advancement of the soul through the realization of the material world to be one with the supreme soul.

This beautiful flower grows in the muddy waters of still lakes and ponds.  This magnificent blossom will unfold one petal at a time.  When the morning sun’s rays touch the flower, it will awaken and bloom.  This interdependence between the lotus and sun is a symbol of love.

A unique characteristic of the lotus flower is that it will shed its seeds and also bloom at the same time.

The lotus flower has been drawn in many fine Asian paintings where you will find some of the most beautiful artwork based on the lotus blossom.

In Buddhism, you will see in many paintings Buddha will be seated on a lotus flower.  The theory of karma states that just like the lotus flower, our life is made up of cause and effect.  The lotus can produce a beautiful flower even within the dirtiest of waters.  This is symbolism meaning that a person can rise above being rooted in the ugliness and suffering of the world, and you should try to be pure and help others with the beauty of the spirit.

The lotus flower is also used as religious symbolism of ancient Egypt.  It was the lotus and papyrus plant that symbolized the primeval waters of Nun, from which the Egyptians believed life began.

It was said, according to old myths, that ancient Egyptians would sing for the lotus in their parties.  There was a day set aside to be the feast of lotus.  Everyone during this feast was to hold a silver pot which was shaped like a lotus and had a burning candle in the middle.  After that, everybody was to head for the Nile River, still carrying the pot in their hands with an overwhelming dream in their heart.  If the burning candle continued floating on the surface of water, your dream would come true.

The lotus is used for meditation and is said to bring harmony to all aspects of our being, within and without.  With the thousands of years associated in the spiritual practices used with the lotus as a symbol, the lotus is believed to be the foremost flower essence on this planet.

The lotus can aid in the cleansing your entire system of toxins.  It is used in bath therapies, oils and fine creams and lotions.  Lotus essence is used to enhance the effectiveness of Aromatherapy, Homeopathy and Kinesiology, along with being used on acupressure points.