The blue lotus flower (nymphaea caerulea) has held a deep lore in many cultures and religions throughout the world. In India and Egypt, the blue lotus flower is often considered to be symbolic of the universe itself.
Other names for the blue lotus flower include:
- Blue Egyptian Lotus
- Blue Water Lily
- Sacred Blue Lily
As far as we know, the story of the blue lotus flower begins with the ancient Egyptians. In ancient Egypt, you could find the blue lotus flower everywhere. The plant was considered sacred, and you could find the blue lotus flower scrawled all over ancient artwork and hieroglyphics in various shapes and forms. Not even their thrones and headdresses lacked the artistic representation of this mystical flower.
In Egyptian mythology, the blue lotus flower was not only associated with the sun god Ra, but other deities as well, including Nefertem and Osiris.
The plant is also slightly psychoactive, and the Egyptians would steep the flower in their wine, giving it certain properties, as well as a beautiful blue or purple hue. This concoction was drank during rituals, with the blue lotus flower often depicted alongside the mandrake and poppy plants.
Garlands of blue lotus flowers were worn by both the living and the dead.
They were even found littered inside of Tutankhamun’s tomb, including inside his sarcophagus when they uncasked him in 1922.
Nowadays, blue lotus is used in perfumes, incense, and other aromatics.
Other Lotus Flower Symbology
The white lotus flower holder is considered to be symbolic of purity and resurrection. The lotus flower begins it’s life cycle in the mud. Later, when the plant develops, it’s stem shoots up from the mud, while the leaves and flowers display themselves far above the mud, completely clean from any dirt.
In Buddhist cultures, the lotus flower was often compared to an enlightened being who escapes from the world unscathed by dukkha.
Hindus hold the seed of the lotus flower sacred because the seed has perfectly formed leaves already within itself. This way, the plant grows the same way nearly every time, forming nearly perfect specimens. Hindus believe this to be symbolic of universal creation and cosmic harmony.
