Closing its petals at night and reopening them with each new sunrise, the lotus is a fitting symbol of eternal life.
Considered sacred to many civilizations, it was frequently pictured in art and architecture of the highest caliber. It came to be recognized as the mark of distinction. In ancient Egyptian mythology, it was said that several gods were born out of lotus flowers. People derived strength, power and faith from the symbol and decorated their homes with lotus blooms. Serving as an important symbol of creation, rebirth and regeneration, ancient Egyptians wove funerary garlands out of the flower with the hope that the deceased will one day be born again.
The lotus is also affiliated with several gods and goddesses in Hindu culture. Brahma, The Creator, was born sitting in a lotus flower and other gods and goddesses are often depicted sitting or standing on a lotus. It is believed that the flower is a part of our soul, deep within each of us. It is only found when we reach a higher level of consciousness and can stand on our own, unaffected by material possessions or earthly wealth. Padmasana, or the lotus pose, in yoga is connected with this search for higher consciousness.
Similarly, in Buddhism, the lotus represents enlightenment, purification and faithfulness. As humans, we are born into a world of pain and suffering (represented by the muddy waters surrounding lotus flowers) but like the flower, we have the ability to rise above the muck, purify ourselves and achieve enlightenment. Those who maintain steady faith and resist evil will break through the mud. This monumental shift in thinking is considered our spiritual rebirth. The image of a closed lotus bloom represents our journey to enlightenment; it will open when we find enlightenment and self-awareness.
While the lotus flower itself has different meanings in various cultures and religions, its colors also signify different virtues:
We are inspired by the power of the lotus- undeterred by its murky surroundings, it emerges each morning, just as beautiful as the morning before. Beyond this, it is enduring. A seed can last thousands of years without water and still germinate.
For us, the lotus is our symbol of commitment and our pledge of excellence to the community.
