The most revered flower in the East is the lotus. No other plant has been endowed with such a large number of sacred features. He has been revered since the creation of the world. The lotus flower is a symbol of the unity of male and female principles in China. In India, the origin of the Universe is associated with it, according to Buddhist beliefs, it was from it that everything that exists was created. A blossoming bud symbolizes the development of a person's potential spiritual capabilities. In Egypt, it was believed that the highest gods, who patronized the Egyptians, sat on the lotus, as on a throne.
Among all the plants whose habitat is water bodies, the lotus is the most spectacular and beautiful (photos of lotus flowers confirm this). More than a hundred of its species can be found in almost any natural and climatic zone.
The structure of this perennial plant is typical for all types of flora, the habitat of which is any fresh water. Lotus, the flower and leaves of which are above the water, has a very long stem with rhizomes that go deep into the ground. Usually the plant can be seen incoastal areas of ponds and lakes. The bud is framed by large leaves, the top layer of which performs a protective function. Thanks to this coating, resembling a thin wax film, the pores of the plant are not clogged, and it can breathe freely. All dust accumulates on the surface of the leaves and is washed off with drops of moisture without harming the plant. On the surface of the water surface, a single instance of a plant can occupy a fairly large area. Lotus is a flower that, together with leaves, can be up to 5 meters in diameter.
For comfortable growth, the plant needs a temperature in the range from +30 to +35 degrees. Lotus is a flower with an amazing variety of colors, ranging from white and pinkish colors to bluish colors of different shades. It has a strong aroma that is difficult to confuse with the smell of any other plant.
Seeds, similar to a cone, ripen in a box divided into several cells. In its structure, it is akin to poppy. The calyx is protected from above by a plate with small holes. Besides the fact that the plant has many sacred meanings, its practical use should also be noted. Lotus (flower, leaves and stems) in India is eaten both raw and after heat treatment. For example, the seeds of a plant resemble the well-known popcorn in their taste properties. Like corn kernels, they are roasted before eating.
Rizoma is a kind of tuber, fromwhich the bud and stem are formed, is also eaten. It is rich in starch and tastes slightly sweet. Lotus petals are a traditional component of tea blends. As for the medicinal properties of the lotus, it normalizes bowel function, relieves attacks of various types of fever. It is used in the treatment of hemorrhoids and dysentery. The plant has hemostatic properties, helps to cope with the effects of sunstroke.
