What is White Lotus About?

The White Lotus as a symbol 白蓮

The lotus is a cultural icon across many countries in Asia. In Thailand, where the latest drama takes place, the white lotus is a symbol of purity, spiritual growth and enlightenment. It has similar significance in Japan where the lotus is called hasu. Both draw on the ideas of Buddism and in Japan, from Shintoism too. However the importance of the lotus extends beyond religion. The aesthetic beauty of the lotus flower and its inspiring natural properties have made it an icon in art, literature and fashion. It’s also found in the kitchen. The roots of the plant are edible and found in many traditional Japanese dishes.

The lotus flower is often seen rising on a long stem from ponds in ornate Japanese gardens. It opens its petals each morning, as if blooming for the first time. One striking feature is its water resistant properties, which mean it remains clean. Water that splashes the flower rolls off, taking any dirt with it! 

Japanese lotus ponds or water lilies?

Perhaps you are picturing Monet’s impressionist paintings of his garden in Giverny? But these actually show water lilies, known as suiren in Japanese. There are many differences between these plants, but most noticeable is that while the lotus flower rises out of the water, the water lily rests on the surface. Neither does the lily share the water resistant properties of the lotus. It is these special qualities which have helped the lotus to gain such an iconic position in Japanese culture.

To find out more about Japanese visual symbols, explore Velarof’s pattern dictionary.