What Is The Meaning Of A Lotus Flower Tattoo?
Lotus flowers symbolize a number of different things, making them unique and highly personal tattoos. In general, the flower is believed to represent rising above temptation and becoming a better person. In Hindu belief, lotus flowers are referred to as Padma and symbolize beauty, purity, and spiritual awakening. Meet the Expert
- Brittany Randell is a professional tattoo artist based in Toronto.
- Rachael Ainsworth is a professional tattoo artist based in Berlin.
If you want a beautiful tattoo that symbolizes something important to you—whether love or enlightenment—a lotus flower is sure to be a perfect choice. So we went for the best inspirations with expert advice from tattoo artists Brittany Randell and Rachael Ainsworth. Keep scrolling for 28 stunning lotus flower designs to inspire your next tattoo. 01 of 28.
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What does a lotus flower symbolize?
Lotus flower meaning across cultures – The lotus flower meaning varies from culture to culture. In general, however, the lotus commonly serves as a sacred for purity, rebirth, and strength. Because lotuses rise from the mud without stains, they are often viewed as a symbol of purity. lotus flower drawing by Victoria Borodinova.
Are lotus flower tattoos offensive?
Yoga has been bastardized around the world by modern interpretations of the sacred practice — and it’s not just the fault of travelers. From yoga with beer or goats to foreigners profiting off of a culture that isn’t theirs, there are many controversial topics that surround the global yoga community.
One grey area is tattoos that yogis wear with roots in Hinduism or Buddhist mindfulness. Yoga-inspired tattoos are rapidly growing in popularity and are often worn as reminders of the yogic lessons. I spoke with Asian yogis to find out if the ever-popular tattoo among traveling yogas, that of lotus flowers, is problematic, or not.
To be transparent, I’m a life-long yogi. I’m Latina and have no Asian heritage. I’ve spent 6 months in India and completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training course a year ago in Vietnam at Nomad Yoga Hoi An. I don’t foresee myself teaching for profit anytime soon.
- I did the course to deepen my practice and be qualified to offer classes to women’s empowerment organizations pro bono as I travel;
- To commemorate completing my yoga teacher training last spring I got my 23rd tattoo;
I chose to get the popular lotus flower tattoo on my right arm. It’s a symbol I’d been thinking about adding to my sprinkled collection of tattoos for quite some time after spending nearly four years in Asia. Photo by Jade Stephens on Unsplash. After speaking with my mindfulness and meditation teacher Victoria Nhan of Yoga in Vietnam , who also wears a lotus flower tattoo on her arm, I booked an appointment with her Vietnamese tattoo artist, Fai Foo Ink , who is an expert in fine lines and popular Asian motifs.
- My lotus is on my right forearm placed so that it aligns with the om symbol on my left forearm which I had done in India;
- When I have my hands at the heart center, the two symbols are balanced;
- I’ve only received admiration for these tattoos in Asia, while only Americans have ever told me they see them as cultural appropriation;
I’m far from being the only non-Asian yogi that wears this ink. Around the globe, yoga practitioners adorn their skin with the delicate petals of the lotus flower. In my yoga teacher training, Nhan taught the teachings of Buddhist Zen Master monk Thich Nhat Hanh.
- The title of one of his beloved books summarizes the meaning of the flower perfectly: No Mud, No Lotus;
- Lotuses represent that even beauty grows from dirt;
- The flowers are a prominent symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism;
They represent everything from purity, spiritual awakening, enlightenment, connection with the universe, devotion, and rebirth when they open each morning and close each evening. For yogis, there’s even further meaning. Padmasana is the posture for seated meditation which means lotus pose.
- Additionally, all of the chakras are displayed in lotus flowers;
- Christina Lim is a Korean-American yoga teacher and wellness coach who wears a tattoo of a garden snake writhing in vines and two lotus flowers;
She coveted a lotus flower tattoo for its symbolism of purification and rebirth. “It refers to the unchanging self, what we might call the soul. My tattoo is a reminder that there’s an unchanging soul, but that superficial layers can be changed or discarded,” Lim says. Photo by Natalia Segato on Unsplash. Vishal Yadati is an Indian tattoo artist who often designs lotus flowers for his clients, everything from the unalome style to illustrated lotuses. Most of the clients that request the popular lotus flower tattoo are foreign yoga teachers or folks that have done a 10-day vipassana silence and meditation course.
- As a yoga teacher, the lotus symbol represents purification for her and reminds her of the Om mani padme hum;
- “These clients are all spiritual people;
- I don’t feel anything when people wear a symbol that is not from their culture;
We’re all humans. We were born in different places and look different but inside we’re all the same. We’ve progressed so much culturally and want to end racism and inequality, admiring other cultures is the way to progress,” he says. “In India, the lotus is a very important flower — all the gods sit on it in Hinduism.
To me, the lotus is a symbol of enlightenment as well as a symbol of positivity and strength because the lotus is a very beautiful flower. Its shape, color, and the way it floats on the water are magnificent but also it grows in dirty mud and water on the banks and floats on the water.
So, the true enlightenment is not only through knowledge but also going through hard times and understanding how things work,” Yadati says. If you want to be mindful of tattoo symbolism — especially when considering getting inked with a design outside your own culture — Yadati says do your research on proper placement.
“The lotus symbolizes enlightenment but if you place it upside down it means the opposite. Religious symbols or portraits of gods shouldn’t be tattooed on feet because it’s a sin in Hinduism. People should just respect that,” he says.
Remember, it’s never acceptable to get a tattoo of Buddha. Do you have a tattoo inspired by your travels? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter !.
What does red lotus flower tattoo mean?
Heart Lotus Tattoo Designs: – also known as the Red Lotus, this flower symbolizes the original state of the heart. Often shown in open bloom, this tattoo design represents love, passion, and compassion.
What does a black lotus flower tattoo mean?
Black Lotus Flower Meaning – The Essentials: – The black lotus flower symbolizes darkness, death, sophistication, power, authority, and rebellion. In Hinduism, the black lotus represents the absence of color and light. To the Ancient Romans, white and black lotus flowers symbolized past, present, and future life, death, and rebirth.
Does a lotus flower mean new beginnings?
Symbolism of the Lotus – The meanings behind the flower relate to the symbolism of the lotus growing out of muddy waters. The flowers’ roots anchor it in the mud, but the flower rises above its murky environment, blossoming open one petal at a time. Based on these unique growing conditions, the lotus flower has come to have many symbolic meanings.
- The lotus represents spiritual enlightenment. Regardless of its dirty environment and the muddy water it’s rooted in, the lotus rises above it all to bloom in beauty, facing the sun. This is symbolic of overcoming the material world and emerging from the muddy waters of suffering to reach spiritual enlightenment and wisdom.
- The flower symbolizes detachment as the lotus detaches itself from the water and filth that sullies its environment. This symbolism serves as a reminder to separate ourselves from things that could sully our soul and to instead focus on the things that matter, such as wisdom, relationships and spiritual enlightenment.
- Lotuses also symbolize resurrections and new beginnings. The flower emerges in the morning, only to close up at night and disappear into back into the water. in the morning, a new blossom remerges and continues the cycle. This representation makes the lotus a common flower at funerals. This is also why the flower was popular in Egyptian symbolism.
- The lotus represents purity and cleanliness, as it’s able to emerge from the murky waters pure and unsullied. In particular, the flower represents the purity of the human soul, as the center of the flower is never tainted by its journey, nor is it by the daily exposure to the murky water.
- The lotus flower blooms slowly one petal at a time , which is similar to the gradual steps required to reach spiritual enlightenment. In this sense, the lotus is a symbol of personal progress. Regardless of the color of the petals, the middle is typically yellow, which represents the goal of enlightenment.
- The lotus has also been associated with nature and womanhood. Some representations use a lotus bud to symbolize a virgin. In contrast, a fully grown flower is a mature, sexually experienced female.
- The lotus is also an excellent example of remaining true to yourself and who you are. Regardless of the murky waters and environment, the lotus remains grounded, proud of what it is and yet still a part of its environment. It beautifies it and makes it better simply by being there.
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Which flower represents new beginnings?
The daffodil – The daffodil flower is known for its symbolism of new beginnings and rebirth and is, therefore, the perfect flower to give someone this New Year. Whilst it has often been associated with spring, it is more commonly given as a gift during the beginning of a new year.
The flower also means; love me, sympathy, desire, and affection returned. The ancient Greeks believed that the daffodil originated from egotistical Greek god: Narcissus. The flower , in general, is thought to reassure happiness and friendship, however, a single bloom is thought to represent a misfortune – so be sure to give more than one.
Yellow flowers , in general, are known to bring joy, happiness and new beginnings and are therefore an essential part of the New Year celebrations. These flowers also symbolize the beginning of a brand new friendship.
Can I get a lotus tattoo?
Also known as lotus, lotus flowers have a very deep religious meaning as well as other spiritual ones. Lotus flowers can symbolize compassion, purity, and even strength. Lotus flowers sometimes grow in the most polluted water but bloom beautifully and still, create beautiful petal flowers.
Lotus flower tattoos are popular among people of Asian descent. In fact, they can even symbolize eternal life. This is because the lotus flower grows in every possible condition. Because the existent of the lotus flower never ends, it is believed to be an eternal creature.
Lotus flower tattoos can be placed anywhere on the body but their most common placements are the foot, the back, or the arms. Lotus flowers have an extensive list of meanings and are usually very personal tattoos. If you’re looking for a meaningful, beautiful, and realistic lotus flower tattoo that has a deep and important representation, we’ve got you covered.
What does Purple lotus mean?
Purple Lotus Flower Meaning – The Essentials: – Purple lotus flowers play a vital role in Buddhism. They generally represent spiritual awakening, purity, and faithfulness. This belief roots from the fact that lotus flowers emerge from muddy waters. For Buddhists, that means the act of rising above despite the challenges and moving towards the light of wisdom.
What tattoos are considered offensive?
What Constitutes an Offensive or Appropriative Tattoo? –
- Tattoos that promote racism, hate, and warfare are considered offensive and illegal in some states and countries.
- Tattoos that promote crime, and crime-related activities either offensive or even illegal too.
- Tattoos that spark controversy and offend minorities or people of color are considered offensive.
- Any tattoo that is deemed sexual in nature or shows sensitive/private parts of the body is generally unacceptable and offensive.
- Tattoos that showcase extremist symbols associated with politics, warfare, and slavery are considered offensive.
- Tattoos that showcase other cultures’ and religions’ deities and gods are considered offensive, disrespectful and appropriative.
- Tattoos that show other culture’s and traditions’ symbols and markings are considered offensive and appropriative.
Why do people get a lotus tattoo?
Lotus flowers symbolize a number of different things, making them unique and highly personal tattoos. In general, the flower is believed to represent rising above temptation and becoming a better person. In Hindu belief, lotus flowers are referred to as Padma and symbolize beauty, purity, and spiritual awakening. Meet the Expert
- Brittany Randell is a professional tattoo artist based in Toronto.
- Rachael Ainsworth is a professional tattoo artist based in Berlin.
If you want a beautiful tattoo that symbolizes something important to you—whether love or enlightenment—a lotus flower is sure to be a perfect choice. So we went for the best inspirations with expert advice from tattoo artists Brittany Randell and Rachael Ainsworth. Keep scrolling for 28 stunning lotus flower designs to inspire your next tattoo. 01 of 28.
What symbolizes overcoming struggle?
The lotus symbolizes growing and overcoming obstacles, hardship, and whatever life throws at you.
What does a purple lotus tattoo mean?
The color purple often symbolizes wealth and royalty, but can also represent dignity and wisdom, so, what better color to choose when inking your favorite lotus flower design? The different shades often hold various meanings, and the purple lotus is often associated with spiritual enlightenment and rebirth.
What tattoo means strength?
Lotus/Floral Tattoo Design – As mentioned earlier, the lotus flower is an ultimate symbol of personal emotional, and physical strength. The lotus design is suitable for both men and women and represents power, strength, endurance, and one’s ability to overcome life’s struggles.
- The design is incredibly beautiful, and the tattoo can be either small or big, simple or intricate;
- Some people tend to chose wonderful color schemes for their lotus tattoo, while others go with a more minimalistic approach;
Either way, you cannot go wrong with a lotus design.
- Tattoo highlights – just like with any design, the lotus tattoo can be either less or more expensive depending on the size, intricacy of the design, and the choice of color. Smaller designs can cost you up to $800 , while larger lotus tattoos with intricate design can cost up to $2,500.
- Best body placement – forearm, wrist, ankle, foot, middle of the chest, side of the neck, the bottom of the neck, lower back, shoulder area, etc.
Other Design Recommendations .
What does a pink lotus tattoo mean?
The Spiritual Meaning of Pink Lotus Flowers in Buddhism – Pink lotus flowers feature prominently in Buddhism. Traditionally, the pink lotus represents spiritual awakening, purity, and faithfulness. This belief roots from the fact that lotus flowers emerge from muddy waters. For Buddhism, that means the act of rising above despite the challenges and moving towards the light of wisdom.
- Lotus flower colors carry unique meanings and symbolic values in Buddhism;
- For instance, the pink lotus flower is considered the ‘true lotus’ and the most identified primary color;
- In contrast, the blue lotus flower symbolizes a spirit’s victory over knowledge and wisdom;
White lotuses signify peace and purity, while red lotuses mean love and compassion, much like other red flowers. Purple lotus flowers , on the contrary, have a deeper meaning as their petals represent important teaching of Buddha called the Noble Eightfold Path.
What flower symbolizes death?
Sympathy flowers are a great way to show support to a family that is grieving the loss of a loved one. As Dr. Alan Wolfelt tells us, symbols such as flowers convey love, facilitate expression, provide meaning, and communicate emotions that words fail to capture.
Funeral flowers are symbolic of certain emotions, and while the general message of a sympathy flower will be understood in any context, individual types of flowers can communicate slightly different meanings.
For this reason, we’ve decided to explore the meanings of seven of the most popular types of funeral flowers. 
Lily: This lovely flower usually blooms in summer, and is often interpreted as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. The lily can be a powerful symbol of the spirit of a loved one that offers hope and encouragement to a grieving family. The idea of rebirth and renewal is particularly applicable to faith-based services. The white color of the lily also carries associations with purity and youth, making it a good choice for the funeral of someone who has died young. 
Rose : This enormously popular flower has very different meanings associated with different colors. Like the lily, white roses tend to represent purity and innocence. Peach roses represent sincerity and gratitude, and can be given to a family whose loved one has blessed your life. Pink roses also indicate gratitude. The yellow rose is a symbol of friendship that expresses your support. 
Carnation : The carnation is a symbol of love. Some people believe that the word “carnation” came from “incarnation,” the Latin word that refers to God in the flesh. With this in mind, a carnation could be given as a gift to a family to honor a life that reflected the spirit of Christ. More generally, it can be used to express love for the family or for the loved one who has passed. 
Hyacinth : The purple hyacinth is a popular symbol of sorrow and regret. For a funeral setting, this expression is certainly appropriate. Sometimes, a simple acknowledgement of the family’s grief is enough. Instead of attempting to comfort the family with clichés such as “Keep your head up,” and “God wouldn’t give you anything more than you can bear,” allow yourself to accept the reality of their grief, and communicate your sympathy.
All of these colors of roses make great sympathy gifts for a grieving family. And since the carnation is the traditional flower of Mother’s Day, it can be a great choice to honor the life of a person who was a great mother to her children.
Let them know that you are aware of their suffering and that you care. The purple hyacinth can communicate the pain that you feel upon hearing of their loss, and this simple sentiment is often just what the family needs. 
Chrysanthemum : In America , this gorgeous flower has many meanings, but it is often used as an expression of support or an encouragement to “get well soon. ” In many countries in Europe , the chrysanthemum is placed on graves and viewed as a symbol of death. Fusing the more positive American associations with the European emphasis on mourning, we find a perfect balance that applies to an end-of-life ceremony. 
Gladiolus : The gladiolus is a beautiful representation of strength and character. By giving a grieving family this flower, you essentially remind them what wonderful people they are and encourage them to persevere on their grief journey. As a sympathy gift, the gladiolus does not ignore the pain of loss, and it effectively communicates your compassion in a difficult time. 
Forget-Me-Not: The meaning of this flower shouldn’t be too difficult to decipher. An emblem of remembrance , the forget-me-not communicates this simple but essential message to a family: your loved one lives on in our memories. We tend to shy away from painful emotions, and for this reason, we often avoid the topic of a loved one’s death with the intention of sparing the family additional discomfort.
- A symbol of death and mourning, but also support and encouragement, the gift of the chrysanthemum is well-suited to a funeral setting;
- But it is also an uplifting reminder of their strength and of the strength of their loved one, which motivates them as they enter into a difficult chapter of their lives;
We stay silent because we don’t want to remind the family of the loss of their loved one. While this approach is well-intended, it’s often unhelpful. Tell stories, share memories, and talk about the positive attributes of the loved one. Remind the family that their loved one has impacted the lives of others.
What does the White Lotus symbolize?
Water lotuses are a beautiful fragrant flower with exotic foliage that steals the spotlight of any pond. They are exotic, majestic, and dramatic and have a deep history beyond its beauty. The meaning and symbolism of the lotus is rich and stems from three major groups: the ancient Egyptians, the Buddhists, and Hinduism.
- The Lotus is a plant that belongs to the Nelumbo genus, and it has been connected with purity, rebirth and divinity;
- The lotus flower symbolizes rising from a dark place into beauty and rebirth, as this is precisely how a lotus flower grows;
Lotus flowers bloom directly out of muddy and murky waters and produce beautiful colored blossoms. What is prominent about the lotus is that although it often grows in mud, and returns within it at night, it always blooms clean the following day, which makes it a great element to use for a metaphor.
- Due to how its grown, the lotus flower has come to be associated with purity and beauty in the religions of Buddhism and Hinduism, respectively;
- The ancient Egyptians saw that at night the lotus closed its flowers and sank into the water and opened up in the light hours;
They came to associate the flower with rebirth and the sun. Fun fact: the Lotus slowly emerges from a pond over a three day period and then blooms in the morning until mid-afternoon. 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. The breaking of the surface every morning is suggestive of desire, which leads to it being associated with spiritual enlightenment.
A main line of thought in Buddhism is that a person’s path in life is similar to that of the lotus. Starting at the seed stage, early in the karmic cycle, through to the bud emerging from the dirty water, representing a person following the path of spirituality and leaving attachment behind, and finally blossoming, this is when a person has become fully awakened and has achieved nirvana.
There are a variety of colors of lotuses that are connected to different aspects of Buddhism: The blue lotus flower is associated with a victory of the spirit over that of wisdom, intelligence and knowledge.
The white lotus flower is known to symbolize Bodhi (being awakened), and represents a state of mental purity, and that of spiritual perfection; it is also associated with the pacification of one’s nature. This lotus is considered to be the womb of the world.
- The purple lotus is known to be mystic and is associated with esoteric sects;
- It can be shown depicted as either an open flower or as a bud;
- The eight petals of the purple lotus are representative of the noble eightfold path; one of the principal teachings of the Buddha;
Following this path is thought to lead to self-awakening, and is considered one of the noble truths. The pink lotus flower is the supreme lotus and is considered to be the true lotus of Buddha. The red lotus is related to the heart and the meaning is associated with that of love and compassion.
Hinduism has similar symbolism but also carries different meaning associated with the lotus. Hinduism equates the lotus with beauty, fertility, prosperity, spirituality, and eternity. The most common lotus seen in Hinduism is the white lotus flower.
However, the pink lotus flower is considered to be the most divine and only awarded to those of the highest standing. Many of the gods and goddesses of Hinduism are linked to the flower, like the goddess of prosperity, Laxmi, is usually portrayed as being seated on a fully opened lotus flower.
- Similarly Brahma, the god of creation, is shown as emerging from a lotus that crawls from the naval of the sustainer Lord Vishnu;
- The lotus is considered to represent a wise and spiritually enlightened quality in a person and is representative of a person who carries out their tasks with little concern for any reward and with a full freedom from attachment, similar to the Buddhist thought;
It is fascinating how the open flower and the unopened lotus bud forms are associated with human traits. The unopened bud is symbolic of a folded soul that has the ability to unfold and open itself up to the divine truth or become awakened to the spiritual reality.
All symbolism associated with the lotus seems to be positive and in the vein of being a good person and finding spiritual meaning in life. Using the lotus in your pond can not only add an exotic aesthetic, but also can attract purity, prosperity, spirituality, and beauty to your water garden.
This might be a good addition to your pond come spring!.
Are lotus flowers good luck?
For centuries, the lotus flower has been depicted in different religions and countries around the world. Miraculously growing in the murkiest of conditions, the lotus is a lucky symbol that’s revered for its resilience, and of course, its beauty.
What can we learn from lotus flower?
Go Observe a Lotus – If you never have before, or even if you have, take time someday soon to observe a Lotus and look for its symbolic properties of purity, determination, hope, and rebirth. Sources:
- http://www. lotusflowermeaning. net/
- https://deaddictioncentres. in/find-a-centre/
- http://www. thehindu. com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/lotus-the-national-flower-of-india/article3774100. ece
- http://buddhism. about. com/od/eightauspicioussymbols/a/The-Symbol-Of-The-Lotus. htm
- http://www. lotusflowermeaning. net/
