The Chinese love the lotus flower because it suggests the virtue of man. Symbol of purity and perfection, the lotus flower is an emblem of summer and fertility. Although it is composed only 120 Chinese characters, the prose "About the choice for the lotus flower" Zhou Dunya, a philosopher of the Northern Song (960-1127), is part of the Chinese classics. It reads: "The lotus flower is totally pure whatever silt which it is derived and it is not tidy despite swimming in clear water." Today, this award serves as a motto for those seeking to become a person with noble sentiments.
The lotus flower is the symbol of love. Flowers are often cited lotus binoculars to qualify loyalty, love and unshakable happiness of a couple good match. The lotus flower and its seeds and roots are widely used in Chinese weddings. The word lotus word is pronounced like the word year and the child. The flower is then a dual symbol of continuity and prosperity. Small holes roots suggest fertility while the sweetness of the lotus suggests a good relationship between the wife and her new family.
In Buddhism the lotus flower is symbolic of Buddha. In China, there are many, many paintings, sculptures and performances the lotus flower. This is due to the unique lotus which is the only aquatic plant whose flower is above the water lilies and unlike other cousins whose flower floating on the water. This image, connoting lightness of the flower rising above the water surface resembles that of Buddha so light that it rests on a cat off the ground.
The symbolism of the lotus in Buddhism is still the fact that the seed and flower appear together, it is the simultaneity of cause (the seed) and effect (the flower) in the law of causality of the universe that is a major concept of Buddhist philosophy. At this must be added that the lotus draws its lifeblood in the mud to thrive, indeed, above the water. And "mud" is suffering, troubles, desires, which are the breeding ground of our development. It is therefore possible to change his karma by illumination, the attainment of Buddhahood, through our awakening to the law of causality.
roll representing a lotus flower is available from the shop RUYI: