Where does the lotus live? Lotus is a symbol of purity and enlightenment. General characteristics of lotus
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Lotus in America, India, Egypt, China and Russia exists in a huge variety of colors and types. Lotus grows in reservoirs rich in silt. And despite all the difficulties of its emergence from the dark silt, through the thickness of the water, the lotus flower reaches out to the sky and the sun. Flowers, amazing in their beauty, excite human consciousness; they bloom outside of water and reach for the light of not only the Sun, but also the Moon. Therefore, you can observe the splendor of blooming lotuses even on a moonlit night.
Lotus leaves are covered with a waxy substance that protects them from dirt. This is the mystery of small water creatures. They bloom in twos, one male and one female, making the lotus a symbol of happy couples. They bloom for 3 or 4 days, emitting a delicate aroma. The symbolism of the lotus in the consciousness of ancient and modern people is very rich...
Lotus flower - sacred
The lotus has symbolized purity, perfection, grace and the desire for spiritual purity since ancient times. Growing out of the mud, it is never dirty. The special structure of its leaves and petals can repel water, while collecting all the dirt from the lotus leaf.
And it was precisely this special property of remaining pure that made the lotus a symbol of spiritual improvement: no matter what environment, good or bad, a person is in, he must always maintain a clear consciousness and spiritual purity. The sign of a symbol of improvement is confirmed by the shape of all the components of this flower. The shape of its leaves, petals and even the core tend to be round, i.e. to perfect form.
Lotus is one of the oldest flowers in the world
His longevity is impressive. The appearance of lotus flowers delighted the ancient Egyptians, and a proverb has been preserved since ancient times: “There will be many lotuses on the water, great fertility.” In 1881, during excavations of the tomb of Pharaoh Ramesses II, several blue lotus buds were found, which were stored for 3000 years and even when dried retained their extraordinary color. The knowledge that the dried lotus flowers made a greater impression than the luxury of the dazzling riches of the tomb speaks of the true mysterious power and charm of flowers. And lotus seeds found in Japan were 2000 years old. After planting, the seeds sprouted and bloomed again, reminding everyone of improvement. In addition, the collected lotus seeds were edible, as was the rest of the plant.
Lotus has been eaten since ancient times
The lotus is a symbol of improvement. Photo from secretchina.com
The Egyptian blue lotus was grown in ancient Egypt for its rhizomes and poppy-like seeds extracted from the center of the lotus, which were used to bake bread and make an intoxicating drink. Candied lotus roots taste like marmalade, while lotus flowers are used to make elite tea and also in perfumes. The aroma of lotus has long been considered the quintessence of all that is most valuable in this world. Therefore, in ancient times in Vietnam, tea with lotus aroma was a privileged drink of the royal court, aristocrats and rich people. In addition, the Chinese eat the stamens and stem, in their minds there is a belief that this food returns old people to their former youth. The lotus plant not only provided people with delicious food, but also a cure for many diseases to improve the human body.
The Legend of the Drink of Oblivion
The writings of Herodotus and the poem "Odyssey" speak of a country where lotuses are eaten. The inhabitants of this country - "lotophagi" ("lotus eaters") made a drink of oblivion from the lotus: anyone who drinks it will never want to part with the homeland of this flower. The memory of his real homeland and original intentions will be erased from the consciousness of this person. Leaving the island, Odysseus had to use force and tie his people, under the influence of flower spells, to the benches of his ship. In the middle of the 20th century, historians provided evidence that the mythological land of lotus eaters is a small, green island of Djerba, where several species of lotus and water lilies grow.
Lotuses are used as offerings to the gods
We often find the lotus depicted on ordinary objects, in elements of architecture and painting. Buddhas (Enlightened Ones in ancient Sanskrit) are often depicted sitting on lotuses. Flowers were used as offerings to the gods. Legend has it that the sun was born from a giant lotus flower, where the sun gods regain their youth. The Japanese goddess of nature also sits on a lotus. The beautiful and fragrant lotus flowers are often compared to feminine purity and chastity and perfection.
There is a legend in the minds of Indians that the gods Brahma and Savaswati were born from a lotus flower. In India, the lotus is revered and is still chanted in ritual dances. If the dancer folds her hands at face level with her fingers up, this means a sleeping lotus bud; if she separates her fingers from the joined hands, this means a blossoming plant as a symbol of improvement. The red lotus remains the emblem of India today.
The attitude of contemporaries to the symbol of improvement
The lotus is a symbol of improvement. Photo from secretchina.com
It is not without reason that in almost all traditions the lotus is a symbol of purity and perfection. It is given mystical properties even in the modern material world, far from the reverent beliefs of our ancestors. The lotus is able to cleanse the energy field around itself from negative vibrations. The aura of the room where the symbol of improvement is located becomes positive just from its presence, experts and sensitive people say.
Lotus is often used to get rid of depression and melancholy. Moreover, the property of the lotus is such that it gradually removes you from a state of depression. This property is in no way comparable to modern antidepressants, which cause instant mood changes and addiction. This allows the human psyche and consciousness to adapt to the surrounding reality without consequences or side effects.
The ability to change a person's consciousness
The lotus aura can improve a person’s consciousness and direct his thoughts to more spiritual spheres. According to spiritually developing people, the use of “lotus therapy” is especially recommended for those people who are too mired in the material world, who think only about career, money and fame, completely forgetting about the second spiritual side of their personality. If such a person carries lotus petals with him or observes this plant for at least half an hour, then gradually his consciousness will change. His nature will become more refined, he will gradually begin to turn his attention to spiritual improvement. We should not forget about ancient practices, where the lotus has a broader meaning than a flower that can be seen and smelled. After all, the ability to maintain a clear consciousness and calm mind of even a modern person is possible through the technique of meditation, again with legs crossed in the lotus position.
The saying goes: “Lotus flowers are a ship on which a drowning person in the ocean of life can find his salvation.”
Ksenia Velichko. The Epoch Times
LOTUS(Nelumbo) is a genus of dicotyledonous herbaceous amphibian plants, the modified stems of which are immersed deep under water in the ground. At the same time, the lotus develops three types of leaves: underwater, floating and above-water, rising high above the surface of the water, which grow on flexible long petioles. It is the only representative of the Lotus family (Nelumbonaceae).
The flowers are always turned towards the sun; they bloom early in the morning and close at night. The petals turn bright pink in the morning, but gradually fade and in the afternoon you can see an incredible range of colors - from rich pink to almost white. You can admire the lotus blooming in the thickets for quite a long time, since quite a few flowers bloom on one plant, but not at the same time, although the flower itself lives only three days.
Description, types and varieties of lotus
Lotuses have been separated into an independent family since 1829, called Nelumbonaceae. This family consists of only one genus - Nelumbo and three species:
- Nut-bearing lotus, or Indian - lat. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., inhabitant of the Old World (1788);
- Yellow lotus, or Nile water lily, which is called the American lotus - Nelumbo lutea Pers. (1807);
- Five-petalled lotus - Nelumbo pentapetala (Walter) Fernald (1934).
This unusual aquatic plant first appeared in North Africa, but at the moment it can be found even in Southern Europe. The lotus is especially common in the tropics and temperate zones. Nelumbo nucifera (nut-bearing) formerly known as N. speciosum (Wild), grows wild in South and Central Asia. It grows in muddy, stagnant and slowly flowing waters of the Nile and Ganges. It is this plant that is considered sacred in the eyes of the natives.
The entire plant is considered edible, and the root is a delicacy and is widely used for medicinal purposes. It is better to collect flowers in the predawn hour, as soon as they are ready to open towards the sun. At this time, flowers are most fragrant and suitable for various purposes. As is already known, seeds remain viable for centuries, but see all this on a separate page...
Or Indian(lat. Nelumbo nucifera) 
It grows in northeastern Australia, the Russian Far East, the Philippine Islands, the Malay Archipelago, the island of Sri Lanka, as well as in India, China, and Japan. This species can be found in Kalmykia, the Volgograd region (Sredneakhtubinsky district, before reaching the village of Lebyazhya Polyana), the Astrakhan Nature Reserve, the Krasnodar and Primorsky Territories.
The plant has large shield-shaped leaves that rise above the water, pale green below and dark green above. The waxy coating gives a slight bluish tint to the entire plant. Erect petioles reach a length of two meters, the rhizomes are quite branched, powerful and knotty. Large lotus flowers, 25-30 cm in diameter, are pink in color and have a not strong but pleasant aroma. In the center of the flower there are many bright yellow stamens. Quite large single-seeded nuts (fruits) 1.5 cm long, with a dense pericarp, located in a cone-shaped receptacle. The first leaves of the nut-bearing lotus appear in May, and it blooms in late July or early August. The flowering period ends in late autumn.
Nut lotus has recently begun to be divided into two subspecies:
- Caspian lotus (Nelumbo caspica);
- Komarov's lotus (Nelumbo komarowii).
Lotus yellow, or Nile water lily(Nelumbo lutea)
It became widespread in the New World. It grows on the Hawaiian Islands, the coast of Central and North America, therefore it is also called the American lotus. This species is practically no different from the nut-bearing lotus, except in the color of the flowers and the duration of flowering. The flowers of this plant are bright yellow, open at sunrise in May, and form buds by midday. Flowering lasts no more than five days, then it sheds its petals.
(Nelumbo caspica) 
Not everyone knows that the lotus flower grows not only in the tropical latitudes of Africa or America, but is also found in our country. It is also called Astrakhan rose, Caspian or Chulpan rose. Currently, this famous pink flower lives both in artificial pools and reservoirs, and in natural environmental conditions.
The appearance of lotus in the Caspian Sea still causes heated debate. Some believe that it was brought by Buddhist monks from Kalmykia, while others argue that it has been preserved since the Tertiary period. The Caspian lotus was first found in the Chulpan Bay by the Russian scientist Semyon Ivanovich Gremyachinsky in August 1849. Now the flower grows in bays and lakes with very warm water. When the water level drops significantly, the plant finds itself on dry land, but continues to develop. The Caspian lotus blooms at the end of summer, and by October the fruits are already ripening.
Lotus Komarova(Nelumbo komarowii)
It grows in the Far East in the Amur basin, along the lower reaches of the Ussuri River, on Lake Malaya Khanka, where it occupies quite vast areas. Here it has been preserved from past eras as a living fossil, when the climate was much warmer. It gradually adapted to existing conditions and became frost-resistant. Usually the silt in which its rhizomes overwinter does not freeze, but in rare cases of freezing the plant dies.
Garden lotus varieties
In addition to the main types of lotus, there are garden varieties that have been bred artificially:
- "Pygmaea Alba" is a white lotus with small flowers up to 12 cm in diameter.
- "Lily Pons" is distinguished by the presence of cup-shaped flowers of salmon or pinkish color.
- "Kermesina" - a plant bred by a Japanese breeder, has red double flowers.
- 'Mrs Perry D. Slocum' has fairly large pink flowers that turn creamy over time.
- "Moto Botan" is a variety bred for growing in small barrels or containers. Its flowers have a rich crimson color.
LOTUS, LOTUS a, m. lotus, lotos m. lat. lotus, gr. 1. A southern aquatic plant with large flowers, considered sacred in some countries. Sl. 18. Lotus. An Egyptian plant, divided into many generations... The most glorious of these, growing on... ... Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language
- (Greek lotos). A plant from the family. pitcher; among the Egyptians and Hindus it is revered as a sacred object. The land of the lotus is a fabulous land of lotophages, so charming that it made foreigners forget about their fatherland. Dictionary of foreign words,... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language
Lotus- (Gelendzhik, Russia) Hotel category: Address: Sovetskaya Street 77, Gelendzhik, Russia ... Hotel catalog
A genus of amphibious perennial herbaceous plants of the lotus family. The flowers are large, up to 30 cm in diameter. 2 species, in temperate and tropical zones of both hemispheres. In South East. Asia, Northeast Australia and southern Europe, including the Volga delta,... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
The main and, apparently, initial meaning of this mythopoetic symbol is the creative force associated with the feminine principle, hence the more special symbolic meanings of L.: the womb as the place of origin of life; fertility, prosperity, offspring, longevity... Encyclopedia of Mythology
Lotus- (Irkutsk, Russia) Hotel category: 2 star hotel Address: Baikalskaya Street 14B, Irkutsk, Ro ... Hotel catalog
Lotus- (Khosta, Russia) Hotel category: Address: Cheltenham Alley, 5B, Khosta, Russia ... Hotel catalog
Lotus- (Anapa, Russia) Hotel category: 3 star hotel Address: Sportivnaya Street 14, Anapa, Russia ... Hotel catalog
LOTUS, lotus, husband. (Greek: lotos). The name of several species of flowering herbaceous marsh and aquatic plants of hot countries with edible fruits, from the family. water lilies. Egyptian lotus. Indian lotus. Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935... ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary
The rhizomes of this water lily, of East Asian origin, are often used in Chinese and Japanese cuisine. As a rule, perforated rhizomes are cut into transverse slices, which make them look decorated with a decorative pattern.… … Culinary dictionary
LOTUS- “I love one (one) you very much” tattoo. LOTUS Leningrad Regional Fuel Union http://www.lots.spb.ru/ energy. LOTUS summer labor and recreation group for high school students... Dictionary of abbreviations and abbreviations
Books
- Lotus of Brahma. Dilogy (Seven days in the Himalayas. Signs of Christ), Sidorov Valentin Mitrofanovich. The fates of the documentary stories that formed the duology developed differently. The first - "Seven Days in the Himalayas" - miraculously broke through the censorship slingshots, was published in 1982 in...
The lotus closes its petals in the evening and returns back to the muddy swamp water, only to emerge at sunrise and open, shining. Thus, it represents untainted beauty and pristine purity in a polluted environment. The lotus is a common and multi-valued symbol in Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Egyptian traditions. This is an image of the source of the world, productive force, the unfolding of being, it acts as a symbol of rebirth, beauty, life, happiness, purity and spirituality. Opening at dawn and closing at sunset, the lotus personifies the rebirth of the Sun, and therefore any other rebirth, renewal of vitality, return of youth, immortality. Eastern tradition uses the lotus to symbolize three stages in a person's spiritual growth: ignorance, the attempt to overcome it, and gained understanding.
IN Buddhism The lotus serves as a traditional symbol of purity. This is a symbol of Buddha's enlightenment. The lotus is born in muddy swamp water, but emerges unsullied and pure. Similarly, “beings born in one of the worlds of samsara, but sincerely practicing the teachings of the Buddha, are able to get rid of obscurations over time.” The lotus is one of the most recognized and thoroughly thought out Buddhist symbols. Every important and revered deity in Buddhism is associated with the lotus. Usually in images of deities they either sit on it or hold it in their hands.
In Buddhism, the lotus symbolizes the primordial waters, spiritual unfoldment, wisdom and nirvana. The Lotus is dedicated to Buddha, the “Pearl of the Lotus”, who emerged from the Lotus in the form of a flame. This is an image of purity and perfection: growing out of dirt, he remains pure - just like Buddha, born into the world. Buddha is considered the heart of the lotus, he sits on a throne in the form of a fully opened flower.
In addition, in Buddhism, the appearance of the lotus is associated with the beginning of a new cosmic era. The full bloom of the lotus represents the wheel of the continuous cycle of existence and is a symbol of Kuan Yin, Maitreya Buddha and Amitabha. In the Buddhist paradise, as in the paradise of Vishnu, in ponds made of jewelry, “amazing lotuses of different colors bloom.”
One of the most powerful and beloved bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism in Tibet, China and Japan, is the Lotus Bearer Avalokiteshvara, “God who looks down with compassion”... The prayer repeated millions of times is addressed to him: Om mani padme hum, “O Treasure at the Core lotus "... He holds in one of his left hands the lotus of the world."
Lotus in Sanskrit - “padma”, in Tibetan - pad ma
The lotus comes in a variety of colors, each associated with a specific Buddhist deity.
1) white lotus is associated with. White color - the color of the body of White Tara symbolizes the state of spiritual perfection - the perfect nature of White Tara.
2) red lotus - symbolizes the original nature and purity of the heart. The red lotus is the lotus of love, compassion, the suffering of martyrs, passion and all other properties of the heart. The red lotus is associated with Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion
3) blue lotus - a symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, a symbol of the wisdom of one who has knowledge. This flower is associated with Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom.
4) pink lotus - the supreme lotus, always corresponds to the highest deities - is associated with the Buddha himself.
Pink Lotus is a symbol of the presence of the Divine on earth.
Just as the lotus exists in three elements (earth, water and air), so man lives in three worlds: material, intellectual and spiritual. Moreover, the water where the lotus grows means the changing world of illusions. As a symbol of creation and knowledge, the lotus flower on Indian playing cards represents the Buddha avatar.
In the Tibetan tradition, the lotus symbolizes the wheel of life, where the past, present and future are presented simultaneously. An unopened bud, a blossoming flower, and also lotus seeds symbolized the past, present and future, respectively, and the “pearl in the lotus” meant exit from the wheel of rebirth and death and the achievement of Nirvana.
The color, size and number of lotus petals determine its symbolism.
The five-petalled lotus has many meanings: it symbolizes the five senses and worlds, birth, initiation, marriage, rest from work and death.
The seven petals of the lotus mean the seven planets.
The eight-petalled lotus was perceived in India as the Heart of Being, in which Brahma resides, and as a visible manifestation of occult activity.
The nine-petalled lotus is a symbol of man, and the twelve-petalled lotus is the symbol of the Universe and God.
Lotus is an element of a kind of religious paraphernalia:
* in Egypt it meant sacred royal dignity,
* in Greece served as a love bed for Zeus and Hera on Mount Ida.
* in Rome, the nymph Lotis, pursued by the lustful Priapus, turned into a lotus.
* Ovid in Metamorphoses describes how Dryope, who picked a lotus flower, turned into a lotus tree.
IN Ancient India The lotus acts as a symbol of creative power, as an image of the creation of the world. The lotus was seen as a symbol of the Universe, a reflection of the earth that floats like a flower on the surface of the ocean. The open cup of the flower, located in the middle, is the mountain of the gods Meru.
In the Upanishads, Vishnu becomes the creator and preserver of the world. He is the beginning, middle and end of the whole world. When Vishnu wakes up, a lotus flower grows from his navel, and Brahma, the creator of the worlds, is born in it. In the center of Vishnu's heavenly paradise flows the heavenly Ganges, Vishnu's palace is surrounded by five lakes with blue, white and red lotuses that sparkle like emeralds and sapphires.
Vishnu's wife Lakshmi, the goddess of happiness, wealth and beauty, is associated with the lotus. According to one of the myths, when the gods and asuras were churning the ocean, Lakshmi emerged from it with a lotus in her hands. According to other ideas, Lakshmi arose at the very beginning of creation, emerging from the primordial waters on a lotus flower; hence her names Padma or Kamala ("lotus"). The lotus throne is an attribute of most Hindu and most revered Buddhist deities.
Lotus in Indian culture personifies the mother goddess and correlates with the yoni, the female reproductive organ. The goddess of fertility was depicted with a lotus in her hair; later this detail extended to other female deities, who were called “lotus goddesses.” In general, this flower acts as a symbol of creative power: the image of the cosmic lotus is considered as the formative principle of the universe, as the source of creation. The image of the lotus in India can be endowed, in connection with its general meaning, with the functions of a mandala; it is also part of the national emblem of this country.
White Lotus
IN Ancient Egypt Creation, birth and the Sun as the source of life were associated with the image of the lotus. This flower was associated with ideas about fertility and productive power, death and resurrection.
Since ancient times, the lotus has been associated with supreme power: the lotus was a symbol of Upper Egypt, and the scepter of the Egyptian pharaohs was made in the form of a lotus flower on a long stem. This great flower blossomed, rising from the depths of the primordial waters, and carried on its petals the existence embodied in the image of the solar deity, the golden child: from the lotus the sun god Ra is born. The Rising Sun was also often represented as Horus, which rises from a lotus, representing the Universe. The lotus flower could serve as the throne of Osiris, Isis and Nephthys.
The lotus symbolized the renewal of vitality and the return of youth, for according to the views of the Egyptians, the old god dies in order to be reborn young. The image of the deceased holding a lotus flower speaks of resurrection from the dead, awakening on the spiritual plane.
As a symbol of prosperity and fertility, the lotus was an attribute of the Memphis god of vegetation Nefertum, who was depicted as a young man wearing a headdress in the form of a lotus flower. In the Pyramid Texts it is called "the lotus from the nose of Ra." Every morning the god Nefertum rises from the lotus and every evening descends into the water of the sacred lake.
He contacted the Nile and the sun; and also served as a throne for the supreme deities and therefore often symbolized the highest power. The lotus became the emblem of Upper Egypt, while the papyrus became the emblem of Lower Egypt. The image of the lotus permeates all Egyptian art, from the lotus-shaped capitals of temple columns to miniature toilet vessels and jewelry. The Egyptian blue lotus blooms during the day and closes at night; it has become a symbol of dawn, awakening from sleep; it was placed in tombs so that the dead would wake up in the next world. The white lotus is closed during the day and blooms only at night; it became a symbol of sleep. The Egyptians believed that the fruit of the white lotus brought oblivion and bliss. Subsequently, lotus symbolism spread from Egypt to Greece; for example, Homer reflected the story of lotus eaters, whose island Odysseus visited: having tasted the lotus, his companions wanted to stay on the island forever.
IN China The lotus was revered as a sacred plant even before the spread of Buddhism and personified purity and chastity, fertility and productive power. According to the tradition of Chinese Buddhism, the “Lotus of the Heart” personifies the solar fire, as well as time, invisible and all-consuming, the revelation of all things, peace and harmony. In the western sky, in the lotus paradise, there is a lotus lake, where Amitofo (Amitabha), the Buddha of the West, sits among flowers, surrounded by bodhisattvas. Each lotus growing on this lake corresponds to the soul of a deceased person. In the Taoist tradition, one of the eight immortals, the virtuous maiden He Xian-gu, was depicted holding in her hands a symbol of purity - a white lotus flower on a long stem, curved like a sacred wish-fulfilling rod.
Two lotus plants are considered a symbol of marriage in China - they mean "one heart and harmony."
From Egypt, India and China, lotus symbolism penetrated into other countries. In Greco-Roman culture, the lotus was considered a plant sacred to Hera and Aphrodite. The ancient Greek hero Hercules makes one of his journeys in a golden boat in the shape of a lotus. Herodotus called the pink lotus, which was considered the most sacred and miraculous, the “pink lily of the Nile.” The inscription in the Temple of Hathor in Dendera reads: “Take for yourself the lotus that has existed since the beginning of time, the sacred lotus that reigned over the great lake, the lotus that comes out for you from Unit, it illuminates with its petals the land that was previously in darkness.”
Purple lotus
White Lotus
Goddess of Flowers Vajravaraha ( female tantric deity, wisdom dakini)
Most plants grown at home can be divided into classes. Some classes can be grown exclusively in a closed space at home. Some can be kept exclusively in the open air. There are flowers that will grow well in unpretentious conditions - be it warm or outside. Understanding which group the plant belongs to, it becomes correct to organize proper care. Critical maintenance principles consist of ensuring atmospheric humidity, the amount of moisture entering the soil and ensuring a safe temperature. The sun is one of the main conditions.
General information about the aquatic plant "Lotus"
LOTUS (Nelumbo) is a genus of dicotyledonous herbaceous amphibian plants, the modified stems of which are immersed deep under water in the ground. At the same time, the lotus develops three types of leaves: underwater, floating and above-water, rising high above the surface of the water, which grow on flexible long petioles. It is the only representative of the Lotus family (Nelumbonaceae).
The flowers are always turned towards the sun; they bloom early in the morning and close at night. The petals turn bright pink in the morning, but gradually fade and in the afternoon you can see an incredible range of colors - from rich pink to almost white. You can admire the lotus blooming in the thickets for quite a long time, since quite a few flowers bloom on one plant, but not at the same time, although the flower itself lives only three days.
Description, types and varieties of lotus
Lotuses have been separated into an independent family since 1829, called Nelumbonaceae. This family consists of only one genus - Nelumbo and three species:
This unusual aquatic plant first appeared in North Africa, but at the moment it can be found even in Southern Europe. The lotus is especially common in the tropics and temperate zones. Nelumbo nucifera (nut-bearing) formerly known as N. speciosum (Wild), grows wild in South and Central Asia. It grows in muddy, stagnant and slowly flowing waters of the Nile and Ganges. It is this plant that is considered sacred in the eyes of the natives.
The entire plant is considered edible, and the root is a delicacy and is widely used for medicinal purposes. It is better to collect flowers in the predawn hour, as soon as they are ready to open towards the sun. At this time, flowers are most fragrant and suitable for various purposes. As is already known, seeds remain viable for centuries, but see all this on a separate page...
Nut-bearing lotus, or Indian (lat. Nelumbo nucifera) 
It grows in northeastern Australia, the Russian Far East, the Philippine Islands, the Malay Archipelago, the island of Sri Lanka, as well as in India, China, and Japan. This species can be found in Kalmykia, the Volgograd region (Sredneakhtubinsky district, before reaching the village of Lebyazhya Polyana), the Astrakhan Nature Reserve, the Krasnodar and Primorsky Territories.
The plant has large shield-shaped leaves that rise above the water, pale green below and dark green above. The waxy coating gives a slight bluish tint to the entire plant. Erect petioles reach a length of two meters, the rhizomes are quite branched, powerful and knotty. Large lotus flowers, 25-30 cm in diameter, are pink in color and have a not strong but pleasant aroma. In the center of the flower there are many bright yellow stamens. Quite large single-seeded nuts (fruits) 1.5 cm long, with a dense pericarp, located in a cone-shaped receptacle. The first leaves of the nut-bearing lotus appear in May, and it blooms in late July or early August. The flowering period ends in late autumn.
The nut-bearing lotus recently began to be divided into two subspecies:
Yellow lotus, or Nile water lily (Nelumbo lutea) Has become widespread in the New World. It grows on the Hawaiian Islands, the coast of Central and North America, therefore it is also called the American lotus. This species is practically no different from the nut-bearing lotus, except in the color of the flowers and the duration of flowering. The flowers of this plant are bright yellow, open at sunrise in May, and form buds by midday. Flowering lasts no more than five days, then it sheds its petals.
Caspian lotus (Nelumbo caspica) 
Not everyone knows that the lotus flower grows not only in the tropical latitudes of Africa or America, but is also found in our country. It is also called Astrakhan rose, Caspian or Chulpan rose. Currently, this famous pink flower lives both in artificial pools and reservoirs, and in natural environmental conditions.
The appearance of lotus in the Caspian Sea still causes heated debate. Some believe that it was brought by Buddhist monks from Kalmykia, while others argue that it has been preserved since the Tertiary period. The Caspian lotus was first found in the Chulpan Bay by the Russian scientist Semyon Ivanovich Gremyachinsky in August 1849. Now the flower grows in bays and lakes with very warm water. When the water level drops significantly, the plant finds itself on dry land, but continues to develop. The Caspian lotus blooms at the end of summer, and by October the fruits are already ripening.
Komarov's lotus (Nelumbo komarowii)Grows in the Far East in the Amur basin, along the lower reaches of the Ussuri River, on Lake Malaya Khanka, where it occupies quite vast areas. Here it has been preserved from past eras as a living fossil, when the climate was much warmer. It gradually adapted to existing conditions and became frost-resistant. Usually the silt in which its rhizomes overwinter does not freeze, but in rare cases of freezing the plant dies.
Garden lotus varieties
garden plantsRise above yourself.
So, the Lotus Flower meditation. in my opinion, it is described in most detail in the works of the same mysterious Anastasia Novykh. However, we were especially interested in something else; references to analogues of this spiritual practice are scattered everywhere, both in religions and in various esoteric sources. According to quite popular statements today, “Lotus” meditation (as it is also called for short) is a direct and shortest path to the Soul, which I will try to understand to this day.
Of course, you must initially understand that the “Lotus Flower” is not a panacea, but just a tool, so the purpose of the experiment is not only banal study and blog coverage, but a broader complex of spiritual, personal studies that allow you to take over your Animal Nature.
Lotus (Nelumbo) - beauty on the water
Plant type: aquatic perennial.
- Homeland: the birthplace of the yellow lotus is the USA, and the nut-bearing lotus originates from the Philippines, the countries of the East, Northern Australia, Egypt, the Volga River delta near the Caspian Sea.
- Growing environment: artificial reservoirs, ponds, containers.
- Flowering: present.
- Lighting: It is advisable to provide full sunlight.
- Humidity level: high.
- Aroma: yes. Due to the pleasant aroma, the foliage and flowers of these plants are widely used in cooking.
Photo of lotus on water
Every 3-4 weeks. When applying fertilizing, you must be very careful, since growing shoots may be damaged. 10 cm pots with good garden loam. A hole must be dug for the seeds, and each of them must be planted in separate pots. Gently cover the roots with gravel or soil. If you have waited too long and the leaves have begun to sprout, they should also be covered with soil, just as you covered the roots. There should be as much light as possible. Lotuses can be placed in garden water only when it warms up to at least +15°C. Lotuses can also be planted in larger containers without holes for drainage. If the plant is grown from seeds, it may not bloom in the first year.
What does the lotus symbolize?
Lotus flowers have perhaps the richest and most universal symbolism in the world and are described in a large number of the most sacred myths and legends. They are known not only for their exquisite beauty and delightful aroma, but also for their healing properties - pacifying the spirit and healing the body, giving vitality and confidence, attractiveness and long youth. In fact, the lotus is the most sacred plant of the Eastern countries, which unanimously identify it with light, pristine purity, chastity and self-knowledge.
The exquisite child of Flora has enough reasons for such veneration: having originated in the muddy bottom, the lotus bud overcomes the thickness of the water and blooms at dawn under the first rays of the sun - and at sunset it closes its petals again and plunges into the dark, cool depths. So the lotus began to personify the Sun, the movement of heavenly bodies, the change of day and night. In addition, this flower symbolizes the Universe, eternity and time - past, present and future - because the same plant simultaneously has seeds-nuts, flowers and buds that have not yet opened. Lotus fruits that fall into infertile soil can sleep for a century and a half - and then again give life to beautiful flowers. Combining the elements of earth (the bottom of a reservoir), water, air and fire (the sun), the lotus turns out to be inseparably linked with the creation of the world.
Lotus in Egypt
For the Egyptians, the lotus symbolized the sun, resurrection, beauty, prosperity and fertility, as well as supreme power. The fragrant flower with flexible green stems was woven into the mythology of ancient civilization, becoming an integral attribute of the gods. The sun god Ra was born from a lotus that blossomed on the surface of the Primordial Water. His son, Horus, rose every morning from a lotus flower at sunrise and lay down to rest in it. The god of fertility and revival of life, Osiris, and his wife Isis sat on thrones of lotuses, and their heads were crowned with headdresses woven from beautiful flowers.
Inheriting their gods, the pharaohs decorated their heads with flowers of the “heavenly blue lily”, wore scepters in the form of a lotus flower on a long stem, and the tombs of their rulers were strewn with its petals so that they would be resurrected in the afterlife. Five lotuses were the emblem of Upper Egypt, and the buds were engraved on gold coins. Lotus wreaths were used to decorate statues of gods, temples, and the heads of important guests, and at feasts servants carried fresh flowers like dishes, and replaced them with fresh ones at the first signs of wilting. Lotus was used in Egyptian architecture - on columns, as a wall decoration. The Egyptians even used the image of a lotus as a hieroglyph for the number 1000.
The Egyptians used Nile lotus oil in love magic: they believed that dripping it onto the three main points - behind the ears and in the center of the forehead - formed a pyramid with its apex facing the stars - and this made them especially charming. The lotus also served as a talisman: by inhaling the aroma of the flower, a person received its protection, and if he constantly wore a stem, leaf, petal or nut of a lotus on his body, the gods gave him blessings, happiness and immortality.
An ancient Egyptian proverb says: “If there are many lotuses on the water, there will be great fertility.” And this was already a completely earthly happiness for the Egyptian people - after all, hearty bread was baked from lotus fruits rich in starch, fiber and sugars and medicinal infusions were prepared.
Lotus in India
The ancient Vedic civilization considered the Lotus to be the flower of Life, since it was present in the original chaos, and gave rise to all things: The Upanishads describe the earth as a lotus flower floating on the surface of cosmic infinity. Hindus depicted the throne of many Hindu gods as a lotus. From the navel of the first god in the world, Vishnu, a lotus once grew, and from this flower Brahma, the creator of the worlds, appeared. The gods plowed the milk ocean - and then the goddess of happiness and beauty Lakshmi emerged from its depths with a lotus in her hands, becoming the wife of Vishnu.
Aromatic tea was brewed from blue lotus petals, and they were also smoked through a hookah. The emblem of India today is the red lotus - “the friend of the sun, blooming only when the month passes and the cold of the night.”
Lotus in China
In China during the Taoist era, the lotus was considered a sacred plant: the maiden He Xin-gu, one of the Eight Immortals, was depicted with a lotus flower in her hands. The structure of the Universe in Buddhist belief is understood as countless lotuses, contained successively one within the other ad infinitum. The image of this flower was necessarily present in Chinese painting - in the western part of the sky, artists depicted a “heavenly lotus lake” - this is how in Ancient China they understood paradise, where each flower communicated with souls. If the deceased person was virtuous, the lotus blossomed; otherwise, it withered.
Buddhists associated the lotus with the image of Buddha: when he was born, a generous rain of lotuses fell from the sky. The boy immediately took the first seven steps, and where his feet left traces, lotuses grew. The most famous yoga pose, in which meditative concentration and the sharpest concentration of attention are achieved, was called the “lotus” pose for a reason. Buddha is also depicted sitting on a blossoming lotus flower: its root is like matter, the stem stretching upward is the soul, and the flower that does not touch the water and the sun-drenched flower is spirit. “Even living among the mud of a swamp, you can remain spotlessly clean,” said the Buddha. Therefore, the lotus position symbolizes nirvana - the complete opening of the soul and spirit. Buddha's Paradise was also imagined as gardens with blooming white, blue, yellow, pink and red lotuses in ponds.
In the Feng Shui trend, popular today all over the world, images of a lotus flower or its glass figurines are used to awaken spiritual consciousness and pacify the home atmosphere, to activate zones of wealth and partnership.
Lotus in Antiquity
Homer described in the Odyssey a long-standing myth about “lotophages” - people who tasted the lotus, forgot their past life and did not want to leave the place where the magical flower bloomed - Libya (it was in such a place that Odysseus’s companions wanted to stay forever). And the ancient Romans had a legend about the nymph Lotis, pursued by Priapus, who turned into a lotus flower. Hercules made one of his journeys in a golden boat in the shape of a lotus. Ovid's "Metamorphoses" tells the story of the transformation of Dryope, who picked a lotus, into a lotus tree. This flower was also dedicated to Aphrodite and Hera.
