Open yourself up to the spiritual meaning of the lotus flower

Besides being the name of a popular yoga pose, the lotus flower is considered a symbol of (re)birth, self-realization and spiritual enlightenment. Born in dark, muddy waters, it is known to transform into a flower that shows its beautiful petals above the surface.

Spiritual growth

Just as this flower goes through so much before it blossoms, so does the human consciousness before it can reach enlightenment. Without going through the difficult lessons of being human (the mud), a person would never be able to reach higher states of consciousness (the lotus).

A Sacred Flower

The lotus has very strong connections to the spiritual world and is held sacred by many cultures and people around the globe. In Egyptian mythology, the Lotus is believed to represent the (re)birth of the sun, because it blooms by day and closes by night. In Hindu culture, it is said that gods and goddesses sit on lotus thrones.

A Buddhist Symbol of Enlightenment

Within Buddhism, the lotus flower represents self-awareness and its symbol is used to encourage us to step outside our comfort zone. When in bloom, the lotus represents our mind opening up to everything and everyone around us, a step on the way to attaining eternal spiritual enlightenment. Speaking of which, did you know that the seeds of the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) are viable for more than a thousand years?

The Chakras’ Lotus Petals

The petals of the lotus flower are arranged in layers, and when the flower blooms, each layer opens to reveal the ones inside. This has also been used as a metaphor to describe how we attain higher levels of self-realisation, which lead to the concept of the lotus as the seven chakras. When each chakra becomes activated, each lotus petal of the chakra can be thought of as opening and “blooming” along with a person’s energy.

Stay Grounded with the Lotus Pose

In yoga, the lotus pose helps you connect to your root chakra. This chakra is associated with our creativity, emotions, and intimacy. Thesignature pose is known as one of the more advanced yoga poses and makes you feel grounded, stable and aware. Be sure to check out our yoga video below, where our expert Laura tells you everything you need to know about the lotus pose.