Why are we planning to talk about lotus? Just because it is our national flower. If this is your answer, you are wrong! There are lots of things that make lotus special. We are creating this blog especially to make you aware of the importance of lotus. Everything that you must know will be here in the blog. We will begin with the scientific introduction, then appearance, applications, and a lot more. Let’s begin our journey to the world of lotus.
Naming
The scientific name of the lotus is Nelumbo Nucifera. Although people generally call it the sacred lotus or Indian lotus. I belong to the majority of people who simply call it lotus. The lotus is also sometimes referred to as a water lily, but you do not do that. If we talk about its family, lotus comes under the family of Nelumbonaceae. It also connects with Egypt as well, but we will discuss it later. For now, just remember that lotus is also referred to as the Egyptian bean.
Importance in India
India is known for its religious practices and belief in god. From the very beginning, the lotus is said to be the god’s favorite flower. In India, we worship our gods with many things, and the lotus is one of them. Even in Egypt, it holds a lot of importance. The meaning of lotus is creation and rebirth over there. It is the symbol of the sun over there.
In India, we consider the lotus as the symbol of beauty, prosperity, purity, divinity, life, and many more. Our goddess Lakshmi Ji, the symbol of health and prosperity sits on a pink lotus. Our other brave goddess Durga Mata was greeted with a bunch of lotus flowers upon her creation. The Saraswati Mata is associated with the white lotus.
Overall we can say that it is not just the people who believe in different meanings of lotus and consider it supreme, the gods too believe in the supremacy of lotus. There will be a reason why the gods and ancient history have so much association with the lotus and all these things are the reason why we consider the lotus so sacred.
Appearance
The lotus is available in shades of pink. From light to the bright, you can witness lotus in any of these shades. Due to its presence in water and its appearance, it is often mistaken for a water lily. You can witness the flowers on the stalk above the leaves. There are two round-shaped leaves present in the flower. The leaves float in water while the roots are planted beneath the water. Overall, you can describe the lotus as a pink aquatic flower.
Cultivation Requirements
The cultivation requirement may seem simple, but in actuality it is tough. Also, the maintenance is very tough in my opinion. First of all, you will require full sun for the growth of lotus. The water should be deep enough so that the roots can grow properly over there. Water should be non-chlorinated as well.
We can grow lotus through seeds as well as tubers. The maintenance is there as well. You have to change the water of the seeds daily. We have to constantly monitor the water level of the lotus. Cutting of leaves and fertilization are required as well. So if you are ready to grow through this, go ahead. I know the job is tough, but we are doing it for the lotus!
Applications
The flora has applications in a variety of fields. Lotus is first of all an ornamental plant. Secondly, its flowers, seeds, young leaves, and roots are all in edible form. Apart from this, lotus is widely used for flower decoration purposes. Its connection with ancient history and gods makes it a must for religious and sacred events. Lotus has very much respect among everyone so the chances are very high that you will see them only on important occasions.
Conclusion
I hope you have realized how much importance lotus holds after readying its association with Indian and Egyptian culture. I have not mentioned it, but I know you all are aware of it. Still, here is the thing, lotus is the national flower of India and Vietnam. I want to add one more important thing. Flower Bazaaar provides you with a vast variety of flowers. So do not forget to check it out.