Tracing the remarkable story of one of the world's most revered botanical treasures
Part of the OmVeda Botanical Library — exploring the botanicals, traditions and science behind Ayurvedic skincare.
Every botanical has a story.
Long before Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) found its way into modern skincare, it was admired by ancient civilisations, cultivated in royal gardens, celebrated in poetry and honoured in spiritual traditions. Its journey spans thousands of years, connecting people through beauty, symbolism, philosophy and a shared appreciation of the natural world.
Today, Sacred Lotus continues that journey, inspiring botanical skincare while reminding us of humanity's enduring relationship with plants.
Where Did Sacred Lotus Originate?
Although the exact origins of Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) continue to be explored by botanists, evidence suggests the species has grown naturally across parts of the Indian subcontinent, southern China and Southeast Asia for thousands of years.
Archaeobotanical discoveries indicate that lotus was already being harvested by Neolithic communities in China more than 7,000 years ago, where the seeds and rhizomes formed part of the diet of early rice-growing societies.
Its remarkable longevity may also have contributed to its survival. Lotus seeds can remain viable for centuries under suitable conditions, allowing the plant to regenerate long after wetlands have dried and reformed.
Unlike many ornamental flowers, every part of the lotus plant found a purpose within traditional cultures.
Sacred Lotus in Ancient China
Some of the earliest archaeological evidence for human interaction with Sacred Lotus comes from China.
Long before it became admired for its beautiful flowers, lotus was an important food plant. Excavations from Neolithic settlements show that communities living along the Yangtze and Yellow River systems collected lotus roots and seeds as valuable sources of nourishment. As Chinese civilisation developed, the lotus gradually became associated not only with sustenance, but also with purity, longevity and harmony.
Within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), different parts of the lotus came to be valued for different traditional purposes. The seeds, leaves, flowers and rhizomes each found a place within classical Chinese herbal practice, reflecting a holistic appreciation of the entire plant rather than a single medicinal component.
Chinese poets frequently compared the lotus to the ideal scholar- remaining pure despite growing from muddy waters. Even today, lotus ponds remain an iconic feature of many classical Chinese gardens.
Anonymous, Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE)
Palace Museum, Beijing
This delicate silk painting is one of China's most celebrated lotus artworks. Painted during the Song Dynasty, it captures the quiet elegance that Chinese artists associated with the lotus—purity, harmony and refined character. The work reflects the Confucian ideal described by philosopher Zhou Dunyi, who admired the lotus for "rising from the mud, yet remaining unstained."
Sacred Lotus in Ancient India
While China provides some of the earliest archaeological evidence for lotus use, it was in India that Sacred Lotus became one of the most important botanical symbols in religious and philosophical thought.
The lotus appears throughout the Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata and Ramayana, where it symbolises purity, creation and spiritual awakening. Hindu deities including Lakshmi, Saraswati and Brahma are frequently depicted with lotus flowers, reinforcing its association with wisdom, prosperity and beauty.
Within Ayurveda, Sacred Lotus became one of many respected botanicals incorporated into daily rituals and traditional formulations. Rather than being valued in isolation, it was appreciated alongside other botanicals such as rose, sandalwood and saffron as part of a holistic approach to beauty and wellbeing.
Today, the lotus remains the national flower of India, continuing a relationship between people and plant that spans millennia.
Padmapani Bodhisattva
Ajanta Cave 1, Maharashtra, India
c. 450–490 CE
Perhaps the most famous lotus depiction in Indian art, this mural portrays Padmapani, the "Lotus Bearer," holding a blue lotus as a symbol of compassion and wisdom. Painted during the Vakataka period, it remains one of the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian painting and reflects the deep spiritual significance of the lotus throughout Buddhist and Indian philosophy.
Sacred Lotus in Japan
Although Sacred Lotus is not native to Japan, it arrived from China and the Korean Peninsula alongside the spread of Buddhism during the Asuka period (6th–7th century CE). As Buddhist teachings became established, so too did the lotus, quickly becoming one of Japan's most recognisable spiritual symbols.
Unlike many flowers admired simply for their beauty, the lotus came to represent a way of living. Emerging each summer from still, muddy waters before opening into an immaculate bloom, it became a powerful reminder that wisdom and compassion can flourish even in the face of life's challenges. This symbolism resonated deeply within Japanese Buddhism and later Zen philosophy, where everyday observations of nature became opportunities for quiet reflection.
Across Japan, lotus ponds were established within temple gardens, creating peaceful spaces for meditation and contemplation. During the summer flowering season, visitors continue to gather at temples such as Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park (Tokyo), Tōdai-ji in Nara, and Byōdō-in Temple in Uji, where thousands of lotus flowers bloom each morning before gradually closing again in the afternoon. These annual displays have become cherished seasonal events, celebrating both the beauty and symbolism of the flower.
The lotus also became woven into Japanese art and literature. During the Edo period, artists including Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige depicted lotus ponds and flowers in woodblock prints, while poets used the lotus to express themes of impermanence, serenity and the changing seasons. The flower's elegant simplicity aligned naturally with the Japanese appreciation of wabi-sabi—finding beauty in nature, transience and quiet moments of contemplation.
Sacred Lotus also remains part of Japanese cuisine. Known as renkon, lotus root is prized for its crisp texture and distinctive pattern of natural openings. It appears in tempura, simmered dishes, pickles and salads, and is traditionally regarded as a symbol of good fortune because the holes running through the root are said to represent the ability to "see the future clearly." Renkon is particularly popular during New Year celebrations, where foods carrying auspicious meanings are shared with family and friends.
Today, Sacred Lotus continues to flourish throughout Japan, connecting ancient Buddhist traditions with contemporary life. Whether blooming in temple ponds, inspiring artists, or appearing on the dining table, the lotus remains a gentle reminder that beauty, resilience and mindfulness often emerge from the simplest moments in nature.
Sacred Lotus at the Table
The journey of Sacred Lotus was shaped not only by philosophy and spirituality, but also by everyday life. Across Asia, the plant has been valued for centuries as both a source of nourishment and a culinary delicacy.
In China, lotus root has long featured in soups, stir-fries and festive dishes, while the seeds are enjoyed in sweet soups, pastries and the traditional fillings of mooncakes. Lotus leaves are often used to wrap rice, gently imparting their subtle aroma during steaming.
In India, the edible stem—known as nadru in Kashmir—is prepared in traditional curries, while lotus seeds, commonly known as makhana (fox nuts), are roasted as a wholesome snack or added to desserts and fasting dishes. Today, roasted makhana has become popular around the world as a nutritious snack, introducing many people to lotus for the very first time.
In Japan, lotus root, or renkon, is celebrated for its crisp texture and distinctive pattern of holes. It appears in tempura, simmered dishes, pickles and salads, and is regarded as a symbol of good fortune because its open structure is said to represent the ability to see clearly into the future.
Throughout Korea, Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia, lotus continues to feature in teas, desserts, salads and seasonal dishes, demonstrating that this remarkable plant has remained part of daily life for thousands of years.
Perhaps this is one of the greatest testaments to Sacred Lotus. It is not simply admired from a distance as a beautiful flower, but continues to nourish, inspire and connect people across generations through food, culture and tradition.
A Tale of Two Lotuses
Visitors to museums or historical texts may notice another famous lotus—the Blue Lotus of Ancient Egypt.
Despite sharing a common name, Egypt's Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) belongs to an entirely different botanical family from Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera).
While both flowers became powerful cultural symbols, they followed different historical journeys. Sacred Lotus became deeply embedded within Indian philosophy and Ayurveda, while Blue Lotus played a significant role in the art, mythology and ceremonial traditions of Ancient Egypt.
Ancient Egyptian artists frequently depicted Blue Lotus emerging from the waters of the Nile, where it became associated with the rising sun, rebirth and creation. Because the flowers opened with the morning light and closed again at dusk, they came to symbolise the daily cycle of life, death and renewal. Blue Lotus appears throughout temple carvings, jewellery, funerary art and the tomb of Tutankhamun, reflecting its profound importance within Egyptian civilisation.
Although Sacred Lotus eventually reached Egypt through trade many centuries later, it was the native Blue Lotus that became woven into Egyptian mythology.
Their shared beauty has often led to confusion, yet each plant tells its own remarkable story.
Sacred Lotus in the Modern World
Today, Sacred Lotus is cultivated far beyond its original homeland.
Botanical gardens across Europe, Australia and North America celebrate its extraordinary flowers, while researchers continue to study its fascinating botanical characteristics, including the famous "Lotus Effect" that inspired self-cleaning technologies.
Within contemporary skincare, Sacred Lotus remains admired for both its botanical profile and the centuries of traditional knowledge that accompany it.
A Living Legacy
Perhaps the greatest lesson offered by Sacred Lotus is not simply its beauty, but its journey.
From the wetlands of Asia to royal gardens, temples, monasteries, botanical collections and modern skincare laboratories, Sacred Lotus has continued to inspire generation after generation.
Its story reminds us that plants are far more than ingredients.
They are living threads connecting culture, science, tradition and the natural world.
As we continue to learn from botanicals like Sacred Lotus, we deepen not only our understanding of skincare, but also our appreciation for the remarkable relationship between people and plants that has shaped human history for thousands of years.