The lotus grows only in shallow waters and is seen primarily in pink and white colours and very rarely in blue hues. The blue lotus is the national flower of India for many reasons. The blue lotus signifies spirituality, fertility, wealth, knowledge, and enlightenment in India.

In Indian mythology, the blue lotus is considered to be sacred and is associated with the Hindu goddesses like Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) and Sarasvati (the goddess of knowledge) and gods like Brahma and Vishnu. The goddess of wealth, Mahalakshmi, also sits on a fully blossomed lotus flower. Thus, the flower has associations with wealth and good fortune for most Indians.

In Hindu religious epics we find many references to the blue lotus. Lord Krishna is generally described as the “lotus eyed one”. The feet of Lord Vishnu are also depicted as ‘kamala padam’ which means “feet like the lotus”.

The lotus holds great importance in Buddhism as well. Lord Buddha is often seen to be seated on a lotus leaf. This signifies the importance of non-attachment from all worldly pleasures because not even a drop of water can remain on a lotus leaf.

The blue lotus is unique in its own way. Grown mostly in turbid waters, this flower rises gracefully above the surrounding impurities on its long stalk and stands as a symbol of serene divinity and purity. It thus seems to represent the purity and tranquillity of a person’s soul by conveying a simple message – rise above the turbid materialism of daily life.