scientific name; nelumbo nucifera
origin; northern indochina, east and north asia
cultivation purpose; ornament, culinary, water treatment, bioengineering
edibility; flowerbuds, greens, seeds
spiritual meaning; purity, rebirth, longevity
arguably one of the most spiritual flowers on the planet, it is sacred to all dharmik religions; and some old/new age religions. in the buddhist tradition, the lotus flower is associated with buddha himself (untouched by mud, AKA negativity); In Hinduism, the flower is associated with the goddesses Lakshmi and Vishnu, and represents spiritual enlightenment, beauty, fertility, purity, prosperity and eternity; it is said that there's a lotus flower in every hindu's heart, and that when this lotus blooms, the person achieves enlightenment. the ancient egyptians saw the "lotus" was a symbol of rebirth and regeneration and had close connections with the sun, particularly the blue lotus, as it grew in abundantly along the nile river's banks; today, it is an endangered flower. even with the lotus' beauty, it has many great benefits such as: abundant antioxidants, antibacterial properties, and compounds in lotus could help lower blood sugar levels! amazing plant 10/10 would look at again.