Lotus Flower Pictures
Having searched the web and travelled through Southeastern Asia I have been able to come up with some nice Lotus flower pictures, photographs and Images.
There are two main types of Lotus plants and these are classified in the Nelumbo (true Locus) and Nymphaea (Waterlily) genera.
It is interesting that the color of the Lotus and that the state of openness that they are depicted in plays a major part of their symbolism and only furthers the beauty associated with this flower.
The first two Lotus flower pictures are of the bud and fully opened forms.
The Bud image is representative of someone who is closed in and has not started upon their journey of spiritualism, the opened Lotus flower on the other hand is symbolic of someone who has reached a full understanding and reached enlightenment.
An unopened Nelumbo Flower bud – Indian Lotus
An opened Indian Lotus – Nelumbo
Some of the common names for plants belonging to the Nymphaea genus include Star Lotus, Red and Blue Waterlily and Sacred Blue Lily.
This Lotus flower belongs to the Nymphaea genus and is therefore also catergorized as a waterlily
As the Lotus is a truly exquisite plant I am sure that you will find many of these Lotus flower pictures as beautiful as I do.
Below is a time lapse video of a Lotus flower opening, it truly is a wonder of nature.
I have included the following lotus flower images as being good examples of how Hinduism and Buddhism associate the Lotus flower with purity, awakening and divinity.
Ganesha Nurpur sat on a bed of pink lotus petals
In Thailand the King is the main protector and patron of the Buddhist religion. He is highly regarded and respected by all in the country and accordingly he is usually pictured with the pink lotus flower as is depicted in this mural on the perimeter wall of Ubon Ratchathani airport.
Mural of The King depicted with Pink Lotus Flowers
The following photographs of Lotus use were take at Doi Suthep in Chiang mai and at Shwedagon Paya.
Symbolic Lotus flowers burning in front of Buddha images
Flaming Lotus
Lotus flowers being offered to the Buddha
The exquisite nature of the Lotus Flower makes it a very popular topic of Chinese and Japanese art and culture.
Chinese painting of pink and white lotus flowers: Yuan dynasty
The lotus is also popular as a theme for lanterns in many parts of Asia.
Chinese lotus lanterns floating in a lake
References for Lotus Flower Pictures
Photographs and images under creative commons and public domain by Wikimedia; Titanium22; Time laspe video from youtube courtesy of stengel-film.com. Pictures of the Mural and Nymphaea are shown under copyright with permission.
