National Flower of India (2024)

Lotus is India’s national flower. The ‘Lotus’ or water lily, an aquatic plant of the Nymphaea family, has the honour of being India’s National Flower. The large, appealing pink blossoms feature symmetrically arranged petals and broad floating petals that give the impression of serenity and elegance. They are regarded sacred by Hindus, who make up a large portion of the Indian population, and are thus surrounded by many legends, religious mythology, and folklore. It is considered to symbolise longevity, honour, good fortune, and victory. Lotus can survive in both fresh shallow waters and muddy swamps and can re-germinate for thousands of years, signifying survival and purity of heart, mind, and spirit under any circ*mstances.

Lotus

Lotus is frequently pictured as the throne of Gods and is frequently used in worship and religious rituals. It has air gaps in its long stems, and rhizomes perform the roles of roots. Lotus has a metaphorical meaning that includes divinity, fertility, riches, knowledge, and enlightenment. The plant’s ability to produce stunning and gorgeous blossoms despite the muddy swaps it frequents is meant to serve as a reminder to stay clean and unaffected by evil, and to live a life of non-attachment. Lord Vishnu’s eyes are frequently portrayed in Vedic hymns as Lotus flower petals, and His pink feet are referred to as ‘Charan Kamal’ or ‘Lotus Feet.’ In ancient Indian art and architecture, it is frequently used as motifs and patterns.

Why Lotus is our National Flower?

In his book On the Cultural Significance of the Indian Lotus Leaf, Thomas Kintaert states, “There is hardly any symbolism in Indian poetry, sculpture, and painting more vast than that relating to the lotus flower and other parts of the plant.” Because of its significance in ancient traditions, religions, and mythology, the lotus was chosen as the national flower. The Bhagavad Gita uses it as a metaphor for detachment, saying that just as the lotus is unaffected by the murky waters in which it thrives, humans should rise above their earthly attachments. Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, is represented seated on a lotus, which represents knowledge and beauty.

Interesting Facts about the National Flower of India

  • It is a sacred flower with a special place in ancient Indian art and mythology, and it has long been regarded as an auspicious symbol of Indian culture.
  • The Lotus was enshrined as India’s National Flower by its founding fathers because of its moral symbolism and cultural significance.
  • Pink and white are the only two colours available in the Lotus flower.
  • The flower emerges from murky water on a long stalk and blooms magnificently.
  • Although it is primarily an Indian flower, it may now be found in China, Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Egypt, and tropical America, among other places.
  • The nodes of the rhizome produce leaves. Lotus rhizomes can be used to propagate the plant.
  • Lotus is also the national flower of Vietnam, in addition to India.
  • Lotus blossoms are considered auspicious in Egypt since they are the symbol of the Sun God.

The golden lotus signifies in Buddhism

In Buddhism, the colour plays an important role in the significance of the lotus flower. The purity of the mind and spirit is symbolised by a white lotus blossom. If a lotus blossom is crimson, it symbolises love and compassion. The blue lotus flower represents common sense; it achieves enlightenment via wisdom and logic. The Buddha’s history and historical legends are symbolised by the pink lotus flower. Spirituality and mysticism are represented by a purple lotus flower. Finally, the gold lotus bloom symbolises all attainment of enlightenment, particularly in the Buddha.

The lotus flower’s stage of development corresponds to a distinct level of enlightenment. A Buddhist follower’s time before finding Buddha or enlightenment is symbolised by a closed lotus flower. A fully blossomed and open lotus flower symbolises complete enlightenment and self-awareness.

Conclusion

Lotus is India’s national flower. The ‘Lotus’ or water lily, an aquatic plant of the Nymphaea family, has the honour of being India’s National Flower. The large, appealing pink blossoms feature symmetrically arranged petals and broad floating petals that give the impression of serenity and elegance. Lotus is also the national flower of Vietnam, in addition to India. Lotus blossoms are considered auspicious in Egypt since they are the symbol of the Sun God.

Because of its significance in ancient traditions, religions, and mythology, the lotus was chosen as the national flower. The Bhagavad Gita uses it as a metaphor for detachment, saying that just as the lotus is unaffected by the murky waters in which it thrives, humans should rise above their earthly attachments. Spirituality and mysticism are represented by a purple lotus flower. Finally, the gold lotus bloom symbolises all attainment of enlightenment, particularly in the Buddha.

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FAQs

National Flower of India? ›

Lotus is the National Flower of India. The scientific name of Lotus is Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn. It is one of the important National Symbols of India.

What does lotus symbolize in India? ›

In Hinduism, the lotus represents spiritual enlightenment, beauty, fertility, purity, prosperity and eternity. It is said that there's a lotus flower in every Hindu's heart, and that when this lotus blooms, the person achieves enlightenment. The lotus is also an important symbol in the Hindu tantric tradition.

What is the state flower of India? ›

Answer: Although some state wildflowers are preferred only because they are widespread in that area, others have been selected for their historical significance or since they were a community. Answer: The lotus flower is India's national flower. Lotus is generally understood as Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn.

Does the US have a national flower? ›

The flower commonly known as the rose is designated and adopted as the national floral emblem of the United States of America, and the President of the United States is authorized and requested to declare such fact by proclamation.

What does the lotus flower symbolize? ›

Lotus flower meaning across cultures

Because lotuses rise from the mud without stains, they are often viewed as a symbol of purity. Since they return to the murky water each evening and open their blooms at the break of day, lotus flowers are also symbols of strength, resilience, and rebirth.

What is the sacred flower of Hinduism? ›

The lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, is an aquatic plant that plays a central role in the art of Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

Which Hindu God is on the lotus flower? ›

Vishnu is generally depicted as holding the lotus in his lower left hand, while his consort Lakshmi holds one in her right hand, and the goddess is also usually portrayed as sitting on the flower. A Shaiva myth describes Vishnu's worship of Shiva with 1008 lotus flowers, offering one for each of his epithets.

What is the most important flower in India? ›

Lotus, the Flower of the Creator

Lotus is the national flower of India and likewise, there is a lot of mythological significance and links to flowers with Indian Gods and Goddesses, more than in any other culture of the world.

What is the real national flower of India? ›

Lotus is the National Flower of India. The scientific name of Lotus is Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn. It is one of the important National Symbols of India.

Which is the national flower fruit of India? ›

List of national and official symbols
SymbolNameAdopted
National flowerLotus (Nelumbo nucifera)1950
National treeIndian Banyan (Ficus benghalensis)1950
National fruitMango (Mangifera indica)1950
National aquatic animalGanges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica)18 May 2010
19 more rows

What is the national animal of India? ›

The magnificent tiger, Panthera tigris is a striped animal. It has a thick yellow coat of fur with dark stripes. The combination of grace, strength, agility and enormous power has earned the tiger its pride of place as the national animal of India.

What is Japan's national flower? ›

The cherry blossom is considered the national flower of Japan, and is central to the custom of hanami. Sakura trees are often called Japanese cherry in English. (This is also a common name for Prunus serrulata.)

What is Mexico's national flower? ›

Dahlias, the national flower of Mexico, burst with fiestas of colors in late summer and early autumn when other flowers begin to fade. These easy-to-grow annuals are popular choices for cut gardens or the backdrop of borders, says Kelly McGowan, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.

What is the national flower of Egypt? ›

In Ancient Greece, it was a symbol of innocence and modesty. The Egyptian lotus is the national flower of Egypt.

What is the most spiritual flower? ›

The lotus flower is one of the most sacred and iconic plants in the world. The striking flower is a symbolic staple for some of the most prolific cultures and religions throughout history.

What is the sacred flower of Buddhism? ›

In Buddhism, the lotus is associated with purity, spiritual awakening, and faithfulness. The flower is considered pure as it is able to emerge from murky waters in the morning and be perfectly clean. It is also known to symbolize purity of speech, of the body, and of the mind.

Why is lotus the national animal of India? ›

Lotus symbolizes wealth, mysticism, knowledge, fertility, and enlightenment. In India, it is viewed as a symbol of victory. It is a sacred flower with a unique place in the art and mythology of ancient India.

Why does lotus hold a unique position in India? ›

The lotus is closely associated with Indian traditions and is the most popular flower in Indian art symbology or shilpashastra. The lotus is associated with Brahma the creator and the ideal of “perfect” or Divine Knowledge. And Divine Knowledge is the objective of the “quest” in almost all Indian spiritual traditions.

What do flowers symbolize in Hinduism? ›

In Hinduism, flowers symbolize the bridge between earthly and divine realms, representing the universe's grandeur.

What is the significance of the Lotus Temple in India? ›

The Lotus Temple, or the Baha'i House of Worship, is a famous religious structure located in New Delhi, India that is dedicated to providing a monument for the Baha'i faith. The temple also serves as a place of meditation and worship, welcoming all faiths and practitioners equally within its unique walls.

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