Lotus Flower Meaning: Symbol of Rebirth

The lotus is not just a flower to admire by the water. Beyond its unique beauty, its history and meaning deserve to be known: linked to the greatest figures, from the Egyptian god Ra to the Buddha, it carries a powerful message.

Discover what the lotus flower means in Buddhism, Hinduism, ancient Egypt and tattoos.

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The lotus in Buddhism, symbol of spiritual expansion

Did you know that the Buddha was neither a god nor a legend? He was a human being named Siddhartha Gautama, and his story is directly linked to the lotus. It is said that before becoming the Buddha, Siddhartha took seven steps on the earth, and at each step a lotus flower bloomed: each flower stands for a stage of spiritual evolution. That is why the Buddha is so often shown meditating, seated on a lotus.

The opening of the flower also represents the expansion of spiritual life: its petals may be fully closed or wide open, depending on each person’s stage of spiritual growth.

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For Hindus, a symbol of harmony between the four elements

According to Hindu belief, four brothers were sitting near a tree, chatting: fire, earth, water and air. Their daily tasks kept them busy, so moments together were rare. Wishing to make this one last, they decided to leave a keepsake of their meeting, something that would carry the essence of each element’s contribution to the harmony of the world.

Looking towards the lake, they conceived a plant whose roots would be anchored in the earth, which would grow in the water and bloom in the air. Fire completed the work by offering the warmth of the sun, which nourished the plant and made it flower: the lotus was born.

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The lotus in ancient Egypt, symbol of the god Ra

Archaeologists have found the lotus throughout ancient Egypt: it adorns many tombs and temples and was used in religious ceremonies. It was a symbol of renewal and rebirth, its petals closing each evening only to open again in the morning; such a gift helped the dead pass into the afterlife.

Because its petals close at night and open again at dawn, the Egyptians associated the lotus with the god Ra: like the flower, the sun god hides in the darkness of night and is reborn every morning.

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The lotus by color

Each lotus color carries its own nuance:

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A sign of personal growth in tattoos

Lotus tattoos are common. Rich with all these beliefs, the flower symbolizes purity, spiritual expansion, divine birth and resurrection. Those who choose it usually want to mark a change in their life: a new start after a difficult period.

To find the flower that suits your story, discover the meaning of flower tattoos.

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