The lotus is the traditional national flower of India and is sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism. The species most often meant is Nelumbo nucifera, also called the sacred lotus or Indian lotus.
The plant is an aquatic perennial with large circular leaves and pink or white flowers. Its roots grow in mud while leaves and flowers rise above the water. The lotus is native to parts of Asia and has been cultivated and used as food, medicine, and ornament for centuries.
In Hindu traditions, lotus imagery is associated with deities including Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Brahma. In Buddhist traditions, the flower commonly symbolizes purity, awakening, and spiritual growth because it emerges from muddy water while remaining visually clean.
The sacred lotus is often confused with water lilies. They are different plant groups: lotus belongs to the family Nelumbonaceae, while true water lilies belong to Nymphaeaceae. The lotus’s distinctive seed head and leaves that often rise above the water help distinguish it.