Lotus Flower
The Lotus is one of the most iconic flowers of China. Grown in muddy swamps and risen above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty, the exquisite flower is huge in size, bright in color, fragrant in scent, and extremely adaptive. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater; at dawn it rises and opens again. The lotus flower is the subject of a lot of symbolism.
In Buddhism the lotus is known to be associated with purity, spiritual awakening and faithfulness. The flower is considered pure as it is able to emerge from murky waters in the morning and be perfectly clean. Therefore it is seen as a sign of rebirth, but additionally it is associated with purity. The breaking of the surface every morning is also suggestive of desire, this leads to it being associated with spiritual enlightenment.
Beautiful and symbolic it is, but this wouldn't be China if it's not also about eating. The lotus seeds are a popular snack and the lotus roots are a common dish for lunch or dinner.
Just outside our village is a big pond full of these beautiful flowers and they are blooming at this moment. A fantastic sight with many great photo oportunities.
