Kulturowo-religijny wymiar kwiatu lotosu
The Cultural and Religious Dimension of the Lotus Flower

Summary/Abstract: Plants occupy an important place in all cultures and religions of the world. They have not only a healing character but also a sacred one. They become a frequent object of worship, a symbol of creation, transience and virtue. They contain a rich symbolism showing the earthly and supernatural reality. They depict the temporal and transcendental world in a graphic image. They evoke specific thoughts, behaviors and attitudes in the recipient. This article presents the cultural and religious dimension of the lotus flower. It shows its sacred significance as well as rich symbolism in various cultures and religiosities. For ancient Egyptians it meant creation, rebirth, sun, deity. In India it symbolizes purity, perfection, beauty, holiness. In the Far East (China, Tibet) it expresses the cosmic harmony, the unity of male and female elements. In Europe it refers to the announcement of paradise, showing the perspective of eternal life.

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