If you’re a student of yoga, chances are you’ve seen the lotus flower symbol on a mat, a shirt, tattooed on a body or displayed on a piece of jewellery adorned by a fellow student. Have you ever wondered why this symbol is often associated with yoga or what it means to the wearer?
The Lotus is regarded as a symbol of beauty throughout the world. The plant is believed to have originated in the Middle East and Asia and is a common spiritual symbol in these parts. The most striking quality of the lotus flower is its ability to bloom in muddy water.
Lotus Flower Symbolism
The lotus flower is an iconic symbol of beauty because it lives in the muddy water yet remains un-soiled. At night, the lotus flower closes, and sinks below the water, just to resurface again untouched the next day. The ancient Egyptians saw this pattern as a symbol of rebirth and creation. Hinduism regards the lotus flower it as the symbol of youth, beauty, and life. In Buddhism, the lotus is symbolic of the purity of the body, speech, and mind.
To a yogi, the Lotus flower symbolises the expansion of the soul and spiritual awakening. The roots of a lotus are grounded in the mud (earth/materialism). The stem grows up through the water (growth/life experience) and blooms above the water, in the sunlight (awakening/enlightenment).
“May I live like the lotus, at ease in muddy waters” unknown
Where is the Lotus flower symbol seen in Yoga?
The Lotus Pose (Padmasana) is considered the ultimate yoga pose. This seated, cross-legged position with the feet resting on the opposite thigh, requires the hips to be open and constant practice. The internet is filled with images of this pose, especially in association with meditation. Traditional yogic texts say this pose destroys all disease and awakens Kundalini. It is also very calming for the brain.
The Lotus flower is also represented as a hand gesture known as Padma mudra. It is formed by bringing the tips of the thumbs and little fingers together and the base of the hands together to form a lotus flower. This hand gesture honors the purity and perseverance of the lotus flower as it rises above the muddy waters of desire, fear, and attachment.
If you’re familiar with the Chakra symbols you will have noticed that each one has lotus petals. Each lotus (chakra) comprises a specific number of petals which denote the vibration frequency of each lotus (chakra). When the number of petals increases, the lotus (chakra) vibration is said to be higher. The higher the vibration. the closer to awakening or enlightenment. The crown chakra is represented by a 1000 petaled lotus flower.
There’s a Buddhist mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” (O jewel in the lotus flower), which represents enlightenment. It is believed that this mantra has great mystical power. In Buddhist and Hindu writings, it is explained that “Om Mani Padme Hum” signifies not only the jewel of man’s divinity living within the lotus (the cosmos) but also the jewel of cosmic divinity living within the lotus (man). Put simply, the mantra is saying, “I am in you and you are in me,” thereby reinforcing the unity of all beings, as well as their inner divine.
What can we learn from the Lotus?
The lotus flower in all its beauty represents life. Life is not always wonderful. It can be hard, you can find yourself in muddy waters but this doesn’t make you any less worthy. Instead of getting bogged down in this muck, choose to find the strength to look towards the sun, to grow and to bloom, just like the Lotus.