What Does A Lotus Flower Tattoo Mean?

What Does A Lotus Flower Tattoo Mean
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.

Is a lotus flower tattoo 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.

  1. One grey area is tattoos that yogis wear with roots in Hinduism or Buddhist mindfulness;
  2. Yoga-inspired tattoos are rapidly growing in popularity and are often worn as reminders of the yogic lessons;
  3. 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.

  1. I did the course to deepen my practice and be qualified to offer classes to women’s empowerment organizations pro bono as I travel;
  2. 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.

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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 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.

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.

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.

Why do people get lotus tattoos?

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 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.

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What is the true meaning of lotus?

Lotus Flower Meanings in Hinduism – What Does A Lotus Flower Tattoo Mean The lotus flower is a famous symbol in Hinduism. In general, lotus flowers represent spiritual enlightenment, growth, purity, and birth, among many others. The flower symbolizes one’s ability to perform their duty without being influenced by any desire, pleasure, or gain. In Hinduism, lotus flowers reference the belief that life begins in water.

What do the different color lotus flowers mean?

Lotus Flower Color Meanings – Lotus Flower Color Meanings Every different color of lotus has a different meaning.

  • The red lotus flower signifies love, care, affection, and other romantic feelings.
  • The white lotus flower symbolizes peace, purity, and calmness.
  • The blue lotus flower , which is the rarest one, symbolizes a spirit’s victory over wisdom and knowledge.
  • The pink lotus flower symbolizes spiritual path & enlightenment.

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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.

  1. The design is incredibly beautiful, and the tattoo can be either small or big, simple or intricate;
  2. 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 symbolizes overcoming struggle?

The lotus symbolizes growing and overcoming obstacles, hardship, and whatever life throws at you.

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.

How much is a lotus tattoo?

Black Lotus Tattoos charges an industry standard of $150-200 per hour so pricing ultimately depends on how long the project takes.

How much is a lotus flower tattoo?

59 Best Lotus Flower Tattoo Ideas To Express Yourself

Category Details Average price
Tattoo size Tiny Tattoo (Under 2 in) $30 – $100
Small Tattoo (2 – 4 in) $50 – $250
Medium Tattoo (4 – 6 in) $150 – $450
Large Tattoo (6+ in) $500 – $4,000

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Is a lotus a water lily?

What Is the Difference Between Lotus and Water Lily? – The main difference between the water lily and lotus is that the lotus leaves and flowers rise above the surface of the water, while those of the water lily float on the surface of the water. Only one species of water lily does not respect the floating rule, which is the tropical water lily.

Is it offensive to get Unalome tattoo?

…should I get an unalome tattoo?” – My advice is: Definitely, No! Read why below…. Traditional cultural symbols, like the Unalome or Om are from Buddhist and Hindu religions, respectively. Om (Auṃ or Oṃ, Devanagari: ॐ) is the most important symbol in Hinduism (India).

We are talking about a 3500 old culture and this symbol is the most sacred symbol for billions of people. Frivolous wearing of the symbol or printing it all over is considered by some, very disrespectful.

Buddha and Lotus (or Padma) tattoos from Buddhism are gaining popularity with the world’s new yogis. This has created some controversy with white travelers (BBC news) sporting symbols and imagery that offends. Because these civilizations existed before electricity (and little motors), we know that they were done using the manual “hand poke” technique.

  1. In recent times, this is branded as”stick and poke tattoo” or “stick n poke tattoo;
  2. ” You can read about that more here- ” What is stick and poke? ” Generally speaking, hand poked tattooing is a slow, painful method that allows a ritual and rite of passage as part of the process;
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In some traditions, additives (like Tumeric in India) are added to the soot, which is used as ink. This is as old as human history, and in tattoo cultures, deep legend and ceremony surrounds the practice. Irezumi and Tebori Tattoos from Japan are also in the category of traditional tattoos.

Culturally, they carry significant meaning. Mulu and  Pe’a  tattoos derive from ancient Samoan culture. In New Zealand, the Māori people have practiced traditional Ta Moko tattoos for thousands of years.

Many of India’s hundreds of distinct tribes have a rich history of tattooing with intricate meaning; a practice continues today. What beautiful tattoos these can be – especially when they have rich meaning for the wearer and surrounding community that goes back generations and honors close ancestry and culture.

The Unalome represents the crown of the Arahants (Enlightened Saints), the spiral stands for the crown at the center of the scalp, and the straight line pointing upwards, representing the straight path to Enlightenment without any wavering behavior, that the Arahants have accomplished.

I likely cannot understand the significance and the power of these tattoos. As a white person with Irish, Welsh and Swedish roots, it is not in my blood nor roots. The meaning can never be as great for me as it is for people belonging to the culture and religion.

Is a tattoo of Buddha disrespectful?

Is it disrespectful to have a Buddha tattoo? Yes. It can be disrespectful. Yoni Zilber, a tattooist who specializes in Tibetan art, explains, ‘Images of the Buddha and Tibetan mantras are very sacred and should be respected.

What does a Unalome tattoo mean?

Unalome Lotus Tattoo – The unalome lotus tattoo is a powerful design symbolizing purity of spirit, spiritual evolution, and the path toward enlightenment. When designing your unalome flower tattoo, keep in mind that the colors you use will have great significance on the meaning of your tattoo.

Can a Unalome be upside down?

Deciphering the Sacred is our series where we explore the symbolism of different geometric figures. Make sure to check out our previous installments, like this in-depth analysis of Metatron’s Cube or an enlightening exploration of The Flower of Life. You’ve probably seen a winding, single-lined symbol on someone’s body before and wondered what it meant? Well, wonder no more: it’s known as an Unalome, a Buddhist design that represents life’s path toward enlightenment. What Does A Lotus Flower Tattoo Mean What Does A Lotus Flower Tattoo Mean Here’s how to unravel an Unalome: start at the beginning of the path, the spiral at every Unalome’s base. This swirl stands for our burgeoning consciousness, the human mind in its infancy. Follow along its bends — life’s ups and downs — struggling to find direction but growing wiser and more worldly along the way. You’ll become less wayward the longer you wander, more centered as the loops tighten.

It’s a bit confounding to think that such a simple figure can stand for something so profound, but once you understand how to interpret them, the cryptic meaning of these sacred insignias becomes as clear as a zen master’s mind.

Eventually, there is no more room for the line to overlap. It goes completely straight, symbolizing the point when a person achieves nirvana — a release from the cycle of life and death. What Does A Lotus Flower Tattoo Mean What Does A Lotus Flower Tattoo Mean Aside from their primary meaning, Unalomes embody a number of other spiritual properties. They can be symbolic of feminine and masculine energy depending on which direction their spirals are facing, left for female and right for male. In some sects of Buddhism, they are believed to represent the third-eye of Shiva herself or records of the lives of various arahants — individuals who have aspired to buddhahood over the ages. What Does A Lotus Flower Tattoo Mean What Does A Lotus Flower Tattoo Mean Unalomes have been depicted for thousands of years in Buddhist art (the stone spires outside of the temple Wat Bang Phra for instance), but the place that they’re most commonly seen today on people’s skin. Tattoos of them are thought to have originated with sak yant — a form of body art in Thailand. Artists do all sorts of innovative things with Unalomes, elaborating on their intricate form and embedding them into other spiritually charged designs. The minimal yet ornate shape of Unalomes makes them ideal for placing on narrow stretches of the body. What Does A Lotus Flower Tattoo Mean If you’d like to seem more blessed body art, make your way to these tattooists’ Instagrams. Should you want a little Unalome along your inner finger, sternum, or elsewhere to show that you’re well on your way to nirvana, have one of them inscribe your skin..