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  Lotus 花中君子~莲

  Morning dew from Heaven 

  

  These wise words brought to you by the 2013 State of Inbound Marketing Report: http://hub.am/Z2RlNK

  

  Lotuses are perhaps the most spectacular plants in aquatic environments. The Chinese say that, once having seen the growing lotus, you never forget it. The lotus flowers have color from red, pink, pale yellow to creamy white. A separate, long, tubular stalk supports each flower and each large round leaf.

  

  莲花，多年生水生植物。根茎（藕）肥大多节，横生于水底泥中。叶盾状圆形，表面深绿色，被蜡质白粉覆盖，背面灰绿色，全缘并呈波状。叶柄圆柱形，密生倒刺。花单生于花梗顶端、高托水面之上，有单瓣、复瓣、重瓣及重台等花型；花色有白、粉、深红、淡紫色或间色等变化；雄蕊多数；雌蕊离生，埋藏于倒圆锥状海绵质花托内，花托表面具多数散生蜂窝状孔洞，受精后逐渐膨大称为莲蓬，每一孔洞内生一小坚果（莲子）。花期6月－9月，每日晨开暮闭。果熟期9月－10月。莲花栽培品种很多，依用途不同可分为藕莲、子莲和花莲三大系统。

  

  中文名：莲花 莲花学名：Nelumbo nucifera
  　　英文名：Lotus flower(Hindu Lotus)
  　　别名：荷花、芙蕖、水芝、泽芝、水华、菡萏、水旦、草芙蓉、芙蓉、水芙蓉、 玉环、六月春、中国莲、六月花神、藕花、灵草、玉芝、青莲、莲等
  　　 类别：浮水植物
  　　属性：清凉解暑、止血、治泻痢、降火气、除寒湿、补身、健胃。

  

  Chinese poets use lotus flowers to inspire people to continue striving through difficulties and to show their best part to the outside world, no matter how bad the circumstances may be. This is understood as being just like the lotus flower, bringing beauty and light from the murky darkness at the bottom of the pond.
  
  Another symbolic characteristic of the lotus flower leads from the observation that the plant's stalk is easy to bend in two, but is very hard to break because of its many strong sinuous fibres. Poets use this to represent a close unbreakable relationship between two lovers or the members within a family, showing that no matter how far away they might live nothing can really separate them in heart.

  

  In Buddhism the lotus flower symbolizes faithfulness. The golden lotus that is mentioned in Buddhist sutras has two meanings, one is the symbol for the achievement of enlightenment and the other points towards a real flower which is beyond our normal perception.
  
  The influence of a lotus flower painting is to open us up to beauty and light. A good lotus flower painting can act as a reminder of the miracle of beauty, light and life. This reminder, communicated on an emotional level, is said to aid both spiritual and practical understanding of Tao, the world and our place in it.
  
  Chinese poets also use lotus flowers to inspire people to continue striving through difficulties and to show their best part to the outside world, no matter how bad the circumstances may be. This is understood as being just like the lotus flower, bringing beauty and light from the murky darkness at the bottom of the pond.

  

  药用价值
  
  　　莲花的全株植物体都有利用价值。《本草纲目》中记载有：“医家取为服食，百病可却”。根茎莲藕含有蛋白质、淀粉和维生素C，味甘，清脆而多汁，可以当水果生吃，也可以用来做汤、炒菜，在藕的空管中填以糯米，蒸熟后是上好的甜品。蒸荷叶饭可用鲜莲叶或干莲叶，蒸出来的饭有特别的荷叶清香。营养丰富的莲子可以用糖来煮，做成糖莲子或莲子汤，莲子也可以加在糕饼里，在中秋的月饼里，莲蓉算是上品。
  　　干莲子可以磨成粉，或供药用。例如在斯里兰卡，莲便是一种主要的痔科药物，另外雄蕊可用为药物，治疗小便失禁和精漏。泰国的孕妇相信用供过神的荷花花瓣泡茶喝，可以减少早上呕吐，并使婴儿强健。
  　　荷叶和莲子都可以入药。莲花味苦甘，性平，归心，肝经。清香升散具有清心解暑、散瘀止血、消风祛湿的功效、主治暑热烦渴，小儿惊痫，妇人血逆昏迷，跌伤呕血，月经不调，崩漏，湿疮疥癣。
  　　治坠损呕血，坠跌积血，心胃呕血不止：干荷花为末，每酒服方寸匕。
  　　治天泡湿疮：荷花贴之。
  　　莲子具有清心醒脾，补脾止泻，养心安神明目、补中养神，止泻固精，益肾涩精止带。滋补元气。从临床应用上看， 莲子适用于轻度失眠人群，如不见效，可适当使用安定控制，但不可长期服用。长期服用安定对身体有较大伤害，如患者产生药物依赖性，应尽量酌减安定的使用并采用中药治疗，如纯中药百眠安等，会有较为显著的疗效。另外，失眠患者应该培养起较好的生活习惯，如晚饭后多散步，平常多运动等等，这些对于睡眠的恢复均有很好的帮助。

  

  用途
  　　莲花是一种实用价值很高的植物，全株皆可利用，每一个部位皆有其特殊功能，然不外乎以降火气、清心、止血、去除体内多余湿气、散瘀为重要效能，其各部分作用如下：
  　　莲叶：性平味苦，含丰富的维生素C及荷叶碱。有清暑、醒脾、化瘀、止血、除湿气之用。
  　　莲子：《本草纲目》认为“莲子，交心肾，厚肠胃，强筋骨，补虚损，利耳目。”含维生素C、蛋白质、铜、锰等矿物质及荷叶碱，极具营养价值。可强身补气、保健肠胃、止泻及袪湿热的效果。
  　　莲藕：含维生素C、维生素B1、维生素B2、蛋白质、胺基酸等养分。其性干寒，可凉血、去暑、散瘀气，对健脾、开胃也很有益处。
  　　莲蓬：又名莲房，可去除体内湿气、活血散瘀，亦可降火气，让气息回复顺畅、舒适。
  　　莲心：《本草求真》认为“莲子心味苦性寒，能治心热。”有降热、消暑气的作用，具有清心、安抚烦躁、祛火气的功能。
  　　莲梗：可清热解暑、去除体内多余水分，并能顺畅体内气血循环。
  出处　　《日华子本草》

  

  All parts of lotus are edible. The immature seeds can be eaten raw or cooked, they have chestnut like flavor. Ripe seeds are roasted and ground into flour, or boiled to extract oil. Lotus roots produce starchy tubers and have the flavor of sweet potato. The young, unrolled leaves are cooked as a vegetable.
  
  Lotus seeds have very hard, impermeable seed coats, and can remain viable for very long time. Sacred Lotus seeds, the most long-lived of all angiosperm seeds, have been known to germinate after more than 400 years! American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) can germinate after a dormancy of 200 years, and recently, lotus seeds of 1,200 years from China had been germinated! What's an incredible plant!

  

  意义象征
  
  　　除实用价值外，莲是最常用来作为宗教和哲学象征的植物，曾代表过神圣、女性的美丽纯洁、复活、高雅和太阳。花中君子，象征着中国传统文化中的一种理想人格：“出淤泥而不染，濯清涟而不妖”。清廉的象征：盖“青莲”者，谐音“清廉”也。象征爱情：盖莲花别名芙蓉花，或云水芙蓉。“芙蓉”，“夫容”也。又白居易《长恨歌》云：“芙蓉如面柳如眉”。因此莲花常用来象征爱情，而并蒂莲尤其如此。二莲生一藕的图画，叫“并莲同心”。“水芙蓉”之“蓉”谐音“荣”。莲花和牡丹花在一起，叫“荣华富贵”，莲花和一鹭鸶，叫“一路荣华”。牡丹、莲花和白头翁，称为“富贵荣华到白头”。莲花也能谐音“连”。莲蓬加上莲子，叫“连生贵子”。象征纯净、纯洁。佛教中有莲花座、莲花台等。佛教中的不少菩萨，是从莲花中生出来的。

  

  主要宗教意义
  　　出污泥而不染的莲花是表示纯净和断灭的一个主要佛教象征。它代表一切活动的鼎盛阶段，而进行这些活动是为了完全避免堕入轮回之错误。神灵端坐或站立的莲花宝座象征着他们的神圣本源。这些神灵被想象成是洁白无瑕、极尽善美的，其身、语、意是绝对清净的。神灵显现在轮回之中，但他们绝没有受到不洁之物、意障和心障的污染。
  　　从埃及到日本的众多世界伟大文明都把莲花视为神圣的象征，并将其广泛低融入它们自己的艺术和建筑之中。莲花随太阳花开花落，在古埃及，人们认为黎明时太阳从东边的莲花中升起，日落时，它落入西边的莲花之中。同样，吠陀教太阳神 的每只手都持有一朵莲花，象征着太阳掠过天际的路径。吠陀教的创生之神梵天诞生在一朵金色莲花里，而这朵莲花是从毗湿奴 肚脐里长出来的，宛如从脐状茎长出的一朵莲花。密教大师莲花生 将佛教传入西藏，他同样被神化为生于一朵奇异的莲花上，开放在印度的乌仗那 王国的丹纳阔沙湖 上。在印度教和佛教经文中，莲花被性隐喻为神圣子宫或阴道。莲花是梵文女性“阴道”的同义词，女性阴道柔软，呈粉红色且有开口。同样，金刚 是男性“阴茎”的同义词，它既坚挺又能插入。金刚和莲花的结合是色 与空 或方便与智慧结合的性象征。在内在的层面上，这种结合象征着气渗入人体内主脉并升腾，它会穿透并开启脉轮中的莲花或轮 。
  　　莲花是西方红色阿弥陀佛，即“莲花部怙主”的象征。阿弥陀佛的特质代表着火的红色、生命体液、黄昏暮光、夏季及将慈爱化作觉识。阿弥陀佛之伴偶般吒罗 的手持器物是一朵红色莲花。阿弥陀佛麾下的菩萨是莲花手观音 （即大慈菩萨）。
  　　佛教中的莲花被描述为四瓣、八瓣、十六瓣、二十四瓣、三十二瓣、六十四瓣、百瓣、千瓣。这些数字既象征性地符合令人费解的人体内的莲花数量，也与坛城的各个组成部分相符。作为手持器物，莲花通常呈粉色和浅红色，共有八个或十六个莲瓣。盛开的莲花也可以是白色、黄色、金黄色、蓝色和黑色。白色莲花 是尸弃佛 的象征，而白度母手持的是十六瓣白莲花。黄色莲花 和金黄色莲花 一般被称作“白玛”（莲花），而红色或粉色莲花更为常见。梵文词汇“utpala”专指蓝色或黑色的“夜莲花”，但直译的藏文同义词“ut-pa-la”可以用于各种颜色的莲花。
  印度教
  　　一位印度古代诗人用古梵文描写他的爱人道：“卿眼如莲苞，手如莲花，譬如莲藕。”在婆罗门教的神话中，创造之神据说是在毗湿奴入定时，从其肚脐中生出的莲花中钻出来的。居住在印度次大陆中部的比罗尔族在解释世界起源时也有相似的说法：“最初，天下皆水，有莲生出水面。是时巨神居于阴间，经莲茎出至水上，以莲花为座。”
  　　已知的最早与莲有关的艺术品，也是把莲与神结合在一起的，是一尊头上戴着莲花的裸体女神像，在印度的恒河流域出土，是公元前3000年的遗物。文献中有关印度莲花女神的记载，最早见于印度的吠陀文献，说莲神生于莲花，站在莲花上，戴着莲花的花环。
  佛教
  　　在佛教问世后，佛教徒也采取了以莲花为佛教的主要象征。据说后来成为佛祖的悉达多太子出世后，立刻下地走了七步，步步生莲。所以莲就成了他诞生的象征。从公元一世纪左右开始，佛祖的塑像便已常常是在莲台上的坐像了，他的坐姿，或为莲花坐或为吉祥坐，成为佛教僧人打坐时的典型坐法。按照大日经的解释，“左足先著右上，右足次著左上，名为莲花坐；单足著右上，名为吉祥坐。”佛教徒相信莲能反应修行程度，认为高僧诚心念佛，则西方七宝池中即生莲花一朵，若能精进，则其花渐大，倘或退惰，则其花萎落。又相信：“诸天人民以至蜎飞蠕动之类，往生阿弥陀佛刹者，皆于七宝池莲花中化生。”
  　　莲随着佛教，流传到亚洲的每个角落。在爪哇的婆罗浮图佛坛上，在缅甸的蒲日古城，泰国的素可泰市和高棉的吴哥窟等地的大庙里，在斯里兰卡的钟形塔里，巴厘岛的葬蓝上和西藏的符箓上，都可以看到莲的图画，西藏的喇嘛教佛教著名的六字真言：“唵嘛呢叭弥吽”中，其中的“叭弥”的意思便是莲花。
  　　莲花在中国有深邃的文化渊薮。唐代将佛教立为国教后，莲花备受人们敬爱。佛祖释迦牟尼的家乡盛产荷花，因此佛教常以莲花自喻。《本草纲目》载：“释氏用为引譬，妙理俱存”。佛国也指莲花所居之处。也称“莲界”。佛经称“莲经”，佛座称“莲座”或“莲台”，佛寺称“莲宇”，僧舍称“莲房”，架裟称“莲衣”等等。莲花图案也成为佛教的标志。佛教的建筑、装修、器物也都有莲花图案。
  　　莲花是佛教四大吉花之一，又是八宝之一，也是佛教九大象征之一。
  　　大雄宝殿中的佛祖释迦牟尼，端坐在莲花宝座之上，慈眉善目，莲眼低垂；称为“西方三圣”之首的阿弥陀佛和大慈大悲观世音菩萨，也都是坐在莲花之上。其余的菩萨，有的手执莲花，有的脚踏莲花，或作莲花手势，或向人间抛洒莲花（如天女）。寺院墙壁、藻井、栏杆、神账、桌围、香袋、拜垫之上，也到处雕刻、绘制或缝绣各种各色的莲花图案。可见莲花与佛教的关系何等的密切。
  　　佛经中还有一则“莲花夫人”的美妙故事。有一只鹿生了一个美

  

  日本民俗中的莲花
  　　但有的国家、地区的民俗文化不同，也不可忽视，如日本民俗对莲花并不认为“出淤泥而不染”那么贞洁，而视莲花为“下贱”之花。日本人主要把莲与死亡以及幽灵世界连在一起。日本花道的典型办法是：用半枯的莲叶和莲蓬、新开的莲叶和莲花、以及未开的莲叶和莲苞，分别代表过去、现在和未来。

  

  关于莲子的长寿之谜研究
  　　常会有在地下沉睡了千年的古莲还会开花的报道，这与莲子的结构有关。莲子的外种皮坚硬致密，像个小小“密封包”，把种子密闭在里面，可防止外面的水分和空气的渗入，也可以防止种子内的水分和空气散失，因此莲子的生命活动极为微弱，相当于休眠状态。这是古莲子还有生命力的重要原因。
  　　此外，也会与古莲子所埋藏的环境也有关。在一个例子中，古莲子被埋在深约30-60厘米的泥炭层中，而泥炭的吸水防潮性能良好；再加上泥炭层的上面又有很厚的泥土覆盖，因此古莲子几乎处于一个密闭的环境中。在这样的环境中，古莲子不具有生根发芽的条件，因此而得以保存了生命力。

  

  关于莲叶与清洁问题的研究
  　　从20世纪70年代起，从事植物分类研究的德国波恩大学植物研究所所长威廉·巴特洛特及其领导的小组，通过电子显微镜对一万多种植物的表面结构进行了研究。这项研究终于揭示了一个有趣的现象：在莲花叶面上倒几滴胶水，胶水不会粘连在叶面上，而是滚落下去并且不留痕迹。表面覆盖着一层极薄蜡晶体的叶子干干净净，这正是防水叶面的特点。这一现象引起巴特洛特的好奇心，并作出这样的假设：在防水性和抗污性之间存在着因果关系。经过努力，他发明了一项新技术，生产出表面完全防水并且具备自洁功能的材料。这是一项用途广泛的新技术，它使人们不再为建筑物顶部和表面的清洁问题发愁，也不必再为汽车、飞机和各种运输工具的清洁问题大伤脑筋。
  关于莲叶与瘦身问题的研究
  　　中医学认为，荷叶性味苦涩，平，归肝、脾、胃、心经。有清暑利湿、升发清阳、凉血止血等功效。荷叶中的生物碱有降血脂作用、抗自由基、抑制高胆固醇血症和动脉硬化等药疗、食疗功效，而且还具有抗有丝分裂的作用，有较强的抑菌效果。荷叶简是以荷叶碱为主要原料的最新绿色纯植物减肥产品。服用荷叶简减肥胶囊后在人体肠壁上形成一层脂肪隔离膜，减少有害物质与肠壁黏膜的接触，清除体内垃圾，有效阻止脂肪的吸收；还能够降低血清内胆固醇浓度，促进糖代谢；荷叶碱同时补充肠液的浓度，促进胆汁及胰液的分泌，使小肠对脂肪的消化分解能力提升一倍。从源头减重，并使肠道保持弱碱环境，有效控制减肥后的反弹。

  

  《渌水曲》李白
  　　渌水明秋月，南湖采白苹.荷花娇欲语，愁杀荡舟人。　《古诗十九首（其六）》
  　　涉江采芙蓉，兰泽多芳草。采之欲遗谁?所思在远道。还顾望旧乡，长路漫浩浩。同心而离居，忧伤以终老。

  

  《西洲曲》
  　　忆梅下西洲，折梅寄江北。单衫杏子红，双鬓鸦雏色。西洲在何处?两桨桥头渡。日暮伯劳飞，风吹乌桕树。树下即门前，门中露翠钿。开门郎不至，出门采红莲。采莲南塘秋，莲花过人头。低头弄莲子，莲子青如水。置莲怀袖中，莲心彻底红。忆郎郎不至，仰首望飞鸿。鸿飞满西洲，望郎上青楼。楼高望不见，尽日栏杆头。栏杆十二曲，垂手明如玉。卷帘天自高，海水摇空绿。海水梦悠悠，君愁我亦愁。南风知我意，吹梦到西洲。

  

  "Purity, trustworthiness, the Buddha, the virtuous man: these are what the lotus signifies," writes Huang Yung-chuan, assistant director of the National Museum of History, in his book Chinese Flower Arranging. Buddhism came to China in the Wei and Jin dynasties, at which time the lotus, which had been simply a source of food, became a symbol for purity and the subject of many poems.
  
  "Bathing in the clear water of the spiritual pond, the lotus' roots dig deep into the soil." For the literati, the lotus represented distancing oneself from vulgarity. It was a metaphor that related to contemporary utopian notions, but was surely connected as well to the Buddhist ideal of "keeping apart from the world, like the lotus."
  
  "My Love for the Lotus" by the Song scholar Zhou Dun-yi has exerted an influence on the Chinese down to the present. In this essay, the lotus is compared to a man of great virtue for being able to live in muck without being tainted by it. Qian Zhong-shu, a Republican-era writer, wrote that Zhou's "inspirations" stemmed from Buddhist ideas.
  
  Buddhism explores how to transcend the troubles of human existence, to leave behind the sea of pain, the house of fire that is human existence. Becoming Buddha-like is the highest ideal. Out of the muck the lotus springs forth beautiful blooms, much as Buddhas free themselves from worldly worries. In the Middle Works of Hinayana Sutra, the Buddha says, "In this way the human heart doesn't give rise to evil desires or evil thoughts. It's like the blue, red and white lotuses that grow in the water but bear no water."

  

  The lotus was an important icon in ancient Egypt, the inspiration for the Phoenician capitals that preceded the Ionic order of design, the sacred flower of Hindu religions and the object of the principal mantra of Tibetan Buddhism: om mani padme hum, which means "Hail, jewel in the lotus." Given the mechanical efficiency of prayer wheels that symbolically repeat those words without pause, the lotus may be the most frequently invoked plant in the world. In various parts of the world it has been a symbol of fertility, birth, beauty, sunlight, transcendence, sexuality and the resurrection of the dead. A twelfth-century Sanskrit poem extols Brahma, "the lotus of whose navel forms thus our universe." But above all, the lotus represents purity.
  
  What an enchanting paradox, then, that the lotus grows in muddy waters, emerging from them unblemished and untouched by pollution.

  

  The lotus is associated with creation, the afterlife, enlightenment, fertility and sensuality, purity, and health. Many cultures ascribe different virtues to the different colors of the blooms as well as the quantity of petals on the bloom.

  

  In Indian culture, the Lotus flower represents enlightenment, wealth, knowledge, and connection to the divine. It is associated with the goddess of wealth, Maha Lakshmi, who represents purity, prosperity and generosity. She sits on a fully blossomed lotus flower.
  
  In Egypt the Lotus flower is called Sesen. In Egyptian mythology, the lotus flower is a symbol of the sun, creation and rebirth.
  
  It is even mentioned briefly in the Islamic tradition, that if a person dies in a state of ihram (a purification period before embarking on a pilgrimage) that they should be washed in water that has been perfumed with lotus flowers.
  
  With such widespread interest and spiritual signifigance attributed to the lotus, it deserves a deeper look into the symbolism surrounding it.

  

  The color of the Buddhism Lotus Flower also has signifigance.
  
  The white lotus symbolizes the state of Bodhi, peace and serenity.
  
  The red lotus symbolizes the heart-state of compassion and love.
  
  The blue lotus symbolizes wisdom.
  
  The pink lotus symbolizes the Buddha and enlightenment.
  
  The golden lotus symbolizes the worlds beyond this one on higher realms.

  

  The lotus appears elsewhere in Buddhism as well. It is one of the eight auspicious Buddhist symbols, has it's own title as one of the Buddhist holy books, "The Sutra on the White Lotus of the Sublime Dharma", also known more simply as the Lotus Sutra, and is mentioned by Buddha repeatedly in his teachings.
  
  Lotus flowers can be found adorning household items, temples, and art throughout asia including China, Thailand, Japan and more.

  

  The lotus flower appeared in legends originating from ancient Egypt. It played an important part in ancient Egyptian religion. The pure white lotus flower, the only plant to fruit and flower simultaneously, emerges from the depths of the muddy swamp. Growing from the mud at the bottom of ponds and streams, the exquisite Lotus flower rises above the water and is usually white or pink with 15 or more oval, spreading petals, and a peculiar, flat seedcase at its center.
  Sesen A Lotus Flower. This is a symbol of the sun, of creation and rebirth. Because at night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again. According to one creation myth it was a giant lotus which first rose out of the watery chaos at the beginning of time. From this giant lotus the sun itself rose on the first day. A symbol of Upper Egypt .The lotus flower played a prominent role in the version of the creation story that originated in Heliopolis. Before the universe came into being, there was an infinite ocean of inert water which constituted the primeval being named Nun. Out of Nun emerged a lotus flower, together with a single mound of dry land. The lotus blossoms opened, and out stepped the self-created sun god, Atum, as a child. A slightly different version of the creation story originated in Hermopolis. In that version, the sun god who formed himself from the chaos of Nun emerged from the lotus petals as Ra. The lotus is a flower which opens and closes each day. His history went on to say that the petals of the lotus blossom enfolded him when he returned to it each night.
  
  The lotus flower has been featured extensively throughout the art of ancient Egypt. In various works of art, you may see it held in the hand of a god or human, serving as a border to outline a section of the artwork, unfolding to reveal various gods or humans, and many other depictions. The ancient Egyptians from the 4th dynasty greatly valued the sacred lotus, in religious ceremonies and funerals. The ancient Egyptians developed the art of countin

  

  Nelumbo nucifera, known by a number of names including Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Bean of India, or simply Lotus, is a plant in the monogeneric family Nelumbonaceae. The Linnaean binomial Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn.) is the currently recognized name for this species, which has been classified under the former names, Nelumbium speciosum (Willd.) and Nymphaea nelumbo, among others. Names other than Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn.) are obsolete synonyms and should not be used in current works. This plant is an aquatic perennial. Under favorable circumstances its seeds may remain viable for many years, with the oldest recorded lotus germination being from that of seeds 1,300 years old recovered from a dry lakebed in northeastern China.

  

  A common misconception is referring to the lotus as a waterlily (Nymphaea), an entirely different plant as can be seen from the center of the flower, which clearly lacks the structure that goes on to form the distinctive circular seed pod in the Nelumbo nucifera. Waterlilies come in various colors, whereas the lotus has flowers ranging in hues of white to hot pink.

  

  Native to Tropical Asia and Queensland, Australia, it is commonly cultivated in water gardens. The white and pink lotuses are national flowers of India and Vietnam, respectively.

  

  The distinctive dried seed heads, which resemble the spouts of watering cansphoto, are widely sold throughout the world for decorative purposes and for dried flower arranging.
  The flowers, seeds, young leaves, and "roots" (rhizomes) are all edible. In Asia, the petals are sometimes used for garnish, while the large leaves are used as a wrap for food, not frequently eaten (for example, as a wrapper for zongzi). In Korea, the leaves and petals are used as a tisane. Yeonkkotcha (연꽃차) is made with dried petals of white lotus and yeonipcha (연잎차) is made with the leaves. Young lotus stems are used as a salad ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. The rhizome (called ǒu (藕) in pinyin Chinese, ngau in Cantonese, bhe in Hindi, renkon (レンコン, 蓮根 in Japanese), yeongeun (연근) in Korean) is used as a vegetable in soups, deep-fried, stir-fried, and braised dishes and the roots are also used in traditional Asian herbal medicine. Petals, leaves, and rhizome can also all be eaten raw, but there is a risk of parasite transmission (e.g., Fasciolopsis buski): it is therefore recommended that they be cooked before eating.
  Lotus rootlets are often pickled with rice vinegar, sugar, chili and/or garlic. It has a crunchy texture with sweet-tangy flavours. In Asian cuisine, it is popular with salad, prawns, sesame oil and/or coriander leaves. Lotus roots have been found to be rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, copper, and manganese, while very low in saturated fat.
  The stamens can be dried and made into a fragrant herbal tea called liánhuā cha (蓮花茶) in Chinese, or (particularly in Vietnam)[citation needed] used to impart a scent to tea leaves. The lotus seeds or nuts (called liánzĭ, 蓮子; or xian liánzĭ, 鲜莲子, in Chinese) are quite versatile, and can be eaten raw or dried and popped like popcorn, phool makhana. They can also be boiled until soft and made into a paste, or boiled with dried longans and rock sugar to make a tong sui (sweet soup). Combined with sugar, lotus seed paste becomes one

  

  Healing
  
  The Lotus flower was also considered to have medicinal, healing attributes. Some used it to heal fevers, relieve pain, close wounds, or to still the troubled mind. Other times saw the Lotus flower used as a part of the treatment of sick or injured animals. And still more uses were found for the Lotus flower as a base for fine perfumes and healing oils.
  
  Artists have found much inspiration in the delicate beauty of the Lotus flower’s blossoms. As they open in the evening or at dawn – depending on the variety, the Lotus faces each day with beauty and a sense of mystery. Its delicate pure colors make the Lotus flower the perfect subject. From Ancient Egypt to Gustav Klimt, the Lotus flower is the essence of artistic beauty.

  

  The holiness of the flower is illustrated by the legend that when the Buddha walked on the earth he left lotuses in his trail instead of footprints. one myth about the origin of Buddha relates that he first appeared floating on a lotus. According to a Japanese legend, the mother of Nichiren (Lotus of the Sun) became pregnant by dreaming of sunshine on a lotus. Nichirin founded a branch of Buddhism in the 1200s. The phrase "Om mani padme hum," which both Hindus and Buddhists use in meditation, means "the jewel in the lotus" and can refer to the Buddha or to the mystical union of male and female energies.

  

  In the beginning were the waters. Matter readied itself. The sun glowed. And, a lotus slowly opened, holding the universe on its golden pericarp.' This is precisely the Indian myth of creation as also of the birth of her most majestic flower abounding in supreme beauty, sublime grace and the aura of transcendence. Waters rise but the lotus rises above them. The sun burns and freezing winters mount but the lotus neither sweats nor shivers. And, cyclones move the earth but the rising dust, enshrouding everything from the earth to the sky, does not reach it. Nothing pollutes its purity, nor affects anything its celestial quiescence. Neither the winds shake it nor does frost freeze. Depths below and heights above do not frighten it. Detached it couches over its resplendent bed stretching far and wide cradling on its bosom the forms from the world around and the formlessness from above. When a Buddha's devotee chants: 'Aum mani padme hum', he knows that 'padma' - lotus, is the 'mani' - gem, as having material status the lotus belongs to form, but in it is revealed more characteristically the formless spiritual element, the supreme jewel - the 'mani', that unfolds within, as do lotus petals.
  
  
  It is this unique significance of lotus that it has more symbolic applications - material and spiritual, than has any other symbol in India's arts, religions and systems of thought. This lotus, in which gods discovered their grace and majesty, poets, painters and sculptors, the subtlest ｅxpression of beauty, and mystics, dimensions of mysticism and intricate cosmic existence, is primarily the flower of India - more than the thing of her lakes and ponds, the theme of her myths, legends and texts. Flowers of the botanical family named nymphaeaceae, to which lotus belongs, are found in many Asian, European, Australian and African countries, but these flowers figure neither in theirs arts, literature, myths, legends, or culture, nor in their actual life and system of thought - whatever the reason - lacking in beauty, profundity, or

  

  Though just a flower, lotus has many legends in regard to its mythical origin, which its great spiritual significance and the status with which a flower is not usually endowed, has inspired. More prominent is the legend of 'Samudra-manthana' - ocean churning.
  
  It is said that once gods and demons reached an agreement that they would jointly churn the ocean to obtain from it nectar that it hid in its bottom. When the churning was in process, ocean revealed fourteen precious jewels and lotus with Lakshmi mounting it was one of them.
  
  Thus, lotus was born from the womb of the ocean. The Bhagavata, Matsya and several other Puranas have a different version of the origin of lotus. After the Great Deluge, Vishnu appeared on the surface of the milk-white waters of the Kshirasagara - ocean of milk. He wished the Creation were rendered. Instantly, from his naval rose a lotus carried upon a mighty stem with Brahma, the Creator, mounting it. The first lotus thus grew from the body of Lord Vishnu.
  
  A Shiva-related legend claims its origin from Shiva's seed. once Shiva was engaged in love with Parvati for many thousand years and did not come out of his chamber. In his absence, demons grew stronger and defeated and humiliated gods on every occasion. Finally, gods went to Shiva and prayed him to stop his love-game and to come to their rescue. Shiva agreed but the problem was where the semen was shed. Agni - fire proposed to bear it but before long it became unbearable and hence Agni let it fall on the earth. Instantly, the spot where it fell turned into a huge lake with abundant lotuses, and thus was born the divine flower. Lotus is also related to Kuber, the lord of riches. As the tradition has it, 'Padam' - lotus, was one of Kuber's 'Nidhis' - treasures. To assist Vishnu, the sustainer of the world, Kuber sent 'Padam' to the earth where it emerged as lotus flower. This symbolism closely corresponds to the emergence of Lakshmi, the Lotus goddess, Vishnu's female aspect and primary instrument of sustaining universe.

  

  Dear Child,
  
  I heard you cry last night. I was there in the darkness when the tears slipped down your face and your heart broke within you. Did you think I didn’t see and didn’t care? Do you really think I don’t know how tired and weary you really are?
  
  Child, I’ve been with you when life has dealt its bitterest blows. I’ve watched you handle all the sorrow and all the pain. But you are weary now, and I can see the broken spirit and the faded hopes and dreams.
  
  Please don’t forget that I care. My touch and caress can restore and mend your broken heart and kindle the flame of hope once more within you. Let Me love you. Take down the barricades around your heart and lean on Me.
  
  I am not tired and I am not weary and I have the strength enough to carry you if you will let Me.
  
  You are not alone, and you never have been, for I am your Father and I will never, ever leave your side. Trust Me!
  
  Your Father, Jesus ♥

  

  Lotus Petals by Bahman Farzad

  

  Lotus Pond - Adelaide Botanic Gardens (by suey_j)

  

  by *Sakura*

  

  by Stanley Zimny

  

  Lotus by Bzukajo

  

  Botaniq by varlamov

  

  Lotus Flower at home (by BorisWorkshop)

  

  攝荷 (by 好運將)

  

  lotus (by dan toan)

  

  Lafugue Logos - Tomorrow of desired

  

  近江妙蓮（Ohomi-myouren)

  

  by ~duongquocdinh

  

  by amirarif aqmal

  

  Lotus flowers at Mimurotoji temple in Kyoto, Japan

  

  Lotus flower & bud by yocca

  

  lotus at noon by Teruhide Tomori

  

  by Bahman Farzad

  

  by Bahman Farzad

  

  bulwer’s pheasant