

The pink lotus represents the legend of Buddha. The blue lotus refers to wisdom and logic, the means of enlightenment. A red lotus refers to compassion and love. The Lessonįortune, purification, faithfulness, and rebirth are characteristics that manifest in different ways they are one in the lotus, and the lotus comes in different colors.Ī white lotus flower refers to purity of mind and spirit. Those who have risen above the muddy waters have been reborn.

In this way, the lotus represents rebirth. "As one abandons worn-out clothes and acquires new ones, so when the body is worn out a new one is acquired by the Self, who lives within" (Gita, 2.22). Some believe this journey may span several lives and in each life lives the same Self. Ideas change and the world seems different, like a renaissance of beliefs: the dawn after one's darkest day. Along this path they shed selfish desires and attachment to worldly objects. Those who are working to rise above the muddy waters will need to be faithful to their cause.īy faithfulness one travels the path to enlightenment. In this way the lotus represents faithfulness. Faith is expressed "in the habits of those who hold them: in the food they like, the work they do, the disciplines they practice, the gifts they give" (Gita, 17.7) Similarly, each lotus manifests a different type of faith that adapts to its nature and surrounding. Each creature, according to it's nature, must by faith find the path to the goal. Purification and enlightenment are the goal, but there are many paths to that goal.
#LOTUS FLOWER OPENIN FREE#
By renouncing selfish desire and sense craving, the wise are neither "agitated by grief nor hankering for pleasure, they live free from lust and fear and anger" (Gita, 2.56) In this way, the lotus represents purification.Those who are working to escape above the muddy waters must purify themselves. Selfishness and attachment to sensual pleasures are the cause of this conflict. While at some point everyone will face external adversity, the real conflict is the war within. We are all born into the murky waters of this word. Those who have risen above the mire recognize the difference between material fortune and spiritual fortune. In this way, the lotus represents fortune. Growing from muddy water, it rises and floats without becoming wet or dirty, symbolizing the journey from the mires of sensual pleasures to the plane of enlightenment. This flower has special importance and meaning in Hinduism and Buddhism. These four words are united in one powerful and transcendent symbol: the lotus flower. "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."įortune - Purification - Faithfulness - Rebirth
