The lotus flower's 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. 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. Still another lotus flower meaning is transcendence: the lotus represents the transcending of man’s spirit over worldly matter since it blooms from the underworld into the light1.
In the literal sense, the lotus is a flower that is dormant during cold winter months, and appears in the spring. If you're in a tropical climate, it can grow year round. You can grow a lotus in a water garden, but you can also grow it in soil2.
Interestingly, when you Google "lotus flower," the most popular questions are not about growing them. The most asked revolve around what it symbolizes, why it is sacred, and what it is good for. That immediately piqued our interest, so we sought some expert advice from pros who've studied the lotus flower, and applied its energy, history, and symbolism in their teachings and life2.
Lotus is a plant that grows in lakes and rivers. The flowers, seeds, leaves, and parts of the underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine. People use lotus for bleeding, cough, fever, liver and stomach problems, and other conditions, but there is no scientific evidence to support these uses3.
In Asia, various parts of the lotus plant are commonly used for cooking, baking, and adding flavor to beverages. Lotus contains chemicals that decrease swelling, kill cancer cells and bacteria, reduce blood sugar, help the breakdown of fat, and protect the heart and blood vessels. Chemicals in lotus also seem to protect the skin, liver, and brain3.
Lotus is also another flower which has great importance in skincare. Different parts of this herb (seeds, stem, roots, flower, stigma) is used in the formulation of numerous skin care products. Lotus flower for skin acts as anti-acne, anti-wrinkle, skin brightener, anti-bacterial, skin coolant, emollient and stress reducer agent4.
The active ingredients of lotus flowers provide extensive skin care benefits. Lotus extract can be used in any kind of skin essentials with a particular action on the skin rejuvenation. Flavonoids present in the lotus flower are extensively used in skin care formulations due to its potential antibacterial and antioxidant activity4.
This activity possessed by the lotus flower and lotus seed is due to the potent carbohydrates content present in it. The major skin care carbohydrate plays an important role in this is oligosaccharide. These are known to stimulate the skin cells which aids in regeneration and improves cytokine production. Normalizing cytokine production helps to maintain the normal function of epidermal barrier and collagen and elastin synthesis. Consequently, cell regeneration, and hence stimulation of this system, takes place, thus resulting in an anti-aging action4.
The flavonoids of sacred lotus flowers by possessing scavenging free radicals action and iron chelating action exhibits potential antioxidant activity. The flavonoids of this flower are known to impede the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These flavonoids are also known to enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity and endogenous antioxidants availability. The lotus flower by possessing potential antioxidant properties known to revive and rejuvenate the skin4.
The flavonoids of this flower also act as vein-active agents by reducing the permeability and improving the blood capillaries resistance. These phytochemicals exhibit great affinity for proteins like elastin and collagen. That is why, this flower hydrates, moisturizes, improves skin elasticity, skin collagen, blood circulation and reduces wrinkles and fine lines4.
Violets are most commonly associated with love – and if you’ve ever seen a violet, that probably makes a ton of sense. These beautiful flowers give off a heady, sensual fragrance that will make you want to fall in love all over again. However, the violet plant has other meanings, too. They can symbolize honesty, protection, dreams, healing, remembrance, determination, and even the idea of setting goals. In the middle ages, monks called these violet plants ‘the herb of the trinity’ due to their three distinct colors of purple, yellow and green5.
The color violet is reminiscent of the Sahasrara, a crown chakra whose energy focuses on matters of enlightenment and awareness, too. Therefore, purple violet flowers with their stunning violet hues can also be associated with growth, expansion, and peace. They are often viewed as symbols of mental clarity. They are also the birth flowers of February5.
It is hard to not smile in the presence of violet. The beautiful and delicate flowers are a favorite early spring treat and begin to pop up in March. Long associated with Aphrodite, they are a symbol of love and fertility and have a light, youthful, and joyous energy. The flowers have a delicate and sweet fragrance and have historically been in high demand for perfume. During the Victorian era, France alone reputedly harvested six tons of flowers a year. Violet is moist and cooling and the leaves ease inflammation, and when used externally, soothe skin irritations and swelling. It has an affinity for the lymphatic system and can promote healthy lymphatic function6.
Salicylic acid is also an active ingredient in many cosmetic and skin care products due to its keratolytic, comedolytic, and bacteriostatic properties. Which is to say, it removes warts and growths, prevents acne, and inhibits bacterial growth. Salicylic acid is a natural property found in violet cream. Violet is moist, mucilaginous, and demulcent, meaning it feels slippery and wet and is therefore useful for dry skin conditions. Together with salicylic acid, these properties make it an ideal substance for dissolving abnormal skin cells, to relieve dry skin conditions like eczema, to curb growths, as an antifungal, burn salve, and as a wound healer in natural cancer treatments7.
The exotic fragrance of the well-loved lotus and violet flowers are gently present in this soap, surrounding you with their special fragrance. Gently cleanse your skin and purify your soul with their natural essence8.
The special fragrance of the lotus and violet flowers in this soap gently cleanse your skin and purify your soul with their natural essence. It is used to Influence others - make them obey you and do as you say. This softens the hearts of others around you so that they are no longer stubborn and are more willing to open up their ears and minds to your ideas.
References
- Lotus Flower: Meaning, Symbolism, & Influence. Saffron Marigold. July 11, 2022. https://www.saffronmarigold.com/blog/lotus-flower-meaning/#:~:text=Because%20lotuses%20rise%20from%20the,strength%2C%20resilience%2C%20and%20rebirth.
- Lotus Flowers Have Different Meanings Depending on Their Color. Woman's Day. October 24, 2022. https://www.womansday.com/life/a41505375/lotus-flower-meaning/
- LOTUS: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews. WebMD. December 16, 2022. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-124/lotus#:~:text=Lotus%20contains%20chemicals%20that%20decrease,skin%2C%20liver%2C%20and%20brain.
- 5 lotus flower benefits and uses for skin & Hair to look upon. Derma Essentia. January 19, 2021. https://www.dermaessentia.com/blogs/skin-care/lotus-flower
- Violet Flower Meaning and Symbolism. Florgeous. June 08, 2022. https://florgeous.com/violet-flower-meaning/
- Plant Profile: Violet. Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville. March 07, 2016. https://www.integrativeasheville.org/plant-profile-violet/#:~:text=Violet%20is%20moist%20and%20cooling,can%20promote%20healthy%20lymphatic%20function.
- Violet for Skin Care and Medicinal Use. Healthy Hildegard. August 13, 2018. https://www.healthyhildegard.com/violet-for-skin-care-and-medicinal-use/
- LOTUS AND VIOLETS SOAP / 1 DOZEN. Florida Water Lanman and Kemp. December 16, 2022. https://floridawater.com/products/lotus-and-violets-soap