Lotus Flower Meaning – More Than A Beautiful Bloom

In Thailand, flowers aren’t just pretty because they connect to religious faith and culture.
These beautiful blossoms share important cultural messages revealing the essential Lotus Flower Meaning.

 

Lotus Flowers in Thai Life

In Thailand, people use flowers as food materials. We use flowers to invent accessories and home decorations. Moreover, flowers are patterns that inspire Thai fine arts, sculpture, architecture, and other art fields. Flowers and Thai cultures deeply connect each other. 

While many flowers embody respect, the Lotus stands as the most vital symbol. Lotus in Thai language, we call ‘Bua’. It is an aquatic plant that grows above water. The root is in the underwater soil while leaves and flowers rise above the surface. For Thai people, the lotus flower has meaning that influences culture, arts, and life. We apply the shape of lotus flower to the beautiful and delicate art patterns. We use rhizomes and stems to be food materials in Thai recipes. Those parts of lotus give nutritional value and medicinal properties. There are many types of lotus including Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo), Water Lily and Victoria, etc.

 

 

Lotus Flower Meaning Spiritual

There is one other thing: flowers have played a role and bonded with Thai people for a long time. Flowers are complexly relevant to belief and philosophy in Buddhism which is the main religion in Thailand.

Long ago, flowers ruled as a vital object of worship, even before Buddhism arrived in Thai society. Beliefs about flowers appear in various old Buddhist scriptures. The scriptures say that flowers are respectful and valuable. People offer flowers to honor the Buddha and the monks.

For centuries, cultures used flowers to honor mysterious spirits or supernatural powers. This tradition continues even today. Thai people use many kinds of flowers in Buddhism. Yet, the Lotus stands as the most vital symbol because it carries the powerful messages of the Buddha’s wisdom. You will often see that people place lotus flowers at temples and sacred places.

 

Purity & Wisdom: 4 Lotus Flower Meanings in the Buddhist Way

In Buddhism, there is a metaphor that Buddha compared lotus flowers to 4 types of people.

1. The Lotus flower that rises above the water shows us people who have pure hearts and excellent morals. They are wise and easily understand all the teachings of the Buddha.
2. The Lotus flower resting at the water level shows people with bright minds. They grab Buddhist wisdom and quickly make themselves better.
3. The Lotus Flower hiding underwater stands for people who can change into good, moral folks. They just need a little push from the right friends.
4. When the Lotus flower stays beneath the mud, this lotus flower’s meaning stands for people who live without good morals. It takes a lot of effort to help them learn about right and wrong.

 

 

The Lotus flower is meaningful to Thai people and Buddhism. Many visitors notice and wonder ‘ What does the lotus flower mean? ‘ why people place those beautiful lotus flowers around the temple area, especially in front of Buddha statues. We hope you enjoyed this beautiful story of the Lotus flower! Next time you visit a Thai temple, may the lotus remind you of its special meaning.