Irish Myths & Magic

Held by the ancients in the Near and Far East since the beginning of religious beliefs, it has an uninterrupted symbolic history of over 5000 years.

The Egyptian lotus, dedicated to Horus, the god of the sun, was the age-old solar symbol of reproductive power and fertility since it grew upon the life-giving Nile. Horus was represented in Egyptian mythology issuing from the cup of the lotus blossom, thus signifying immortality and eternal youth. It was also symbol of resurrection, because the lotus flower closed its petals at night, sinking to the bottom, only to rise above the surface of the water and to open again in the morning.

In antiquity, the lotus motif was extensively used as a symbolic ornament in architecture and sculpture along the Mediterranean region: in Assyria it was used as wall decoration; in Egypt in the capitals of columns and wall paintings; and in Greece as anthemion, a frieze ornament derived from the young lotus petals. In Persia, the lotus was venerated as the symbol of the sun and the light; in Hindustan, Tatary and Tibet, it was the emblem of mystery.

The lotus is revered by all Hindus because Brahma was born in the sacred bosom of the flower, and Hindu deities are pictured seated upon a lotus blossom. The Lama prayer in the praying mills of Tibet and the Himalayas consists of the unceasing repetition of the words: "Om-ma-ne pad-me Hum," which means, "Oh the jewel of the lotus, amen."

Water Lily The Buddhists of India revered the lotus as the symbol of Buddha, because it sprang up to announce his birth, and in China because it is one of the symbols in Buddha's foot print. The Chinese Buddhists also believe in the so-called Western Heaven with its Sacred Lake of Lotuses, where the souls of the deceased faithful sleep in lotus buds until the appointed time when they are admitted to Paradise. There Buddha resides surrounded by his disciples, while beautiful pavilions float on clouds, precious vases smoke with fragrant incense, music clouds play heavenly melodies, and jewel flowers rain down through the air.

The eight-petaled lotus, Lien in China, and Hasu in Japan, is also the emblem of the Past, the Present and the Future, since buds, blossoms and seed-pods can be seen simultaneously on the same plant. The lotus is furthermore considered the symbol of beauty, perfection and purity, because the beautiful blossom grows clean and untouched by the sullied water of the muddy pools from which it rises.

Across the Pacific Ocean, the water lily, growing in the southwestern part of the North American continent, and in Central America was revered by the Mayas as the sacred symbol of the Earth.

*Source: Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants and Trees by Ernst and Johanna Lehner, Dover Publications, 2003.