The lotus flower plays a very important role in Chinese culture, being hailed as the "gentleman among flowers" and symbolizing noble, pure, elegant, and incorruptible qualities. With its unique growing environment, graceful posture, and rich cultural connotations, the lotus flower is deeply loved and revered by the Chinese people.
The lotus flower holds rich symbolic significance in Chinese culture, encompassing several aspects:
Purity and sanctity: Traditionally revered as a symbol of purity and sanctity in Buddhism, the lotus flower embodies spiritual purity and virtue. Renowned scholar Zhou Dunyi's essay "On Loving Lotus" describes it as "emerging from mud yet unstained," symbolizing purity and nobility. Additionally, the phonetic similarity between "lotus" (荷 hé) and "harmony" (和 hé) implies harmony and peace, further enhancing its symbolism of purity and sanctity.
Integrity and honesty: The lotus, also known as the "qinglian" (青莲), phonetically resembling "integrity" (清廉 qīnglián), symbolizes clean and upright behavior, particularly in officialdom. This symbolism is depicted in artworks such as "The Road of Integrity," featuring lotus flowers and egrets, displayed in the studies of many literati. Thus, the lotus also represents integrity and honesty.
Good fortune and auspiciousness: The phonetic similarity between "lotus" (荷 hé) and "harmony" (和 hé) suggests auspiciousness. In traditional Chinese culture, the combination of lotus, peony, and swallows symbolizes peace and prosperity. Lotus is also associated with good fortune in Buddhist symbolism, being the foremost of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. Additionally, lotus and fish motifs signify abundance and prosperity, while the depiction of the "He and He" immortal duo—one holding a lotus, the other a box—symbolizes harmony and unity. Furthermore, in Chinese folklore, the lotus held by the Immortal He Xiangu represents harmony and good fortune. Therefore, lotus symbolizes good fortune and auspiciousness.
Love and romance: The lotus is also a symbol of love. The idiom "lotus root broken, yet still connected by threads" describes the enduring connection between lovers despite separation, portraying the essence of love. Consequently, lotus represents love and romance, frequently depicted in ancient literary works to evoke beautiful romantic scenes and emotional expressions.
Beauty: From ancient times, the lotus has been compared to a beautiful woman in Chinese literature. In the Book of Songs, there is a record likening the lotus to a beautiful woman, expressing the longing for a cherished beauty. Hence, the lotus symbolizes beauty.
Friendship: Lotus symbolizes the preciousness and depth of friendship. In ancient Chinese literature, lotus is often used to metaphorically describe the deep bond and unwavering commitment between friends. Thus, lotus represents friendship.
In summary, the lotus flower holds diverse and profound symbolic meanings in Chinese culture, representing purity, integrity, good fortune, love, beauty, and friendship. These symbolic meanings not only reflect the beauty and characteristics of the lotus itself but also embody the aspirations and pursuits of the Chinese people towards virtuous qualities and spiritual elevation.
