The lotus, known for its hypnotic, celestial beauty, is unsurpassed as a floral religious icon.

Hindus associate the lotus blossom with the mythology of creation, and the gods Vishnu and Brahma, and the goddesses Lakshmi and Sarasvati. Vishnu is often depicted as the Lotus-Eyed One. The flower's unfolding petals reflect the expansion of the soul. The lotus — unblemished beauty arising from the murky darkness and slime — represents a benign spiritual promise of purity, divine wisdom, and an individual's evolution from the lowest to the highest state of consciousness.

In Buddhist symbolism, the lotus corresponds to purity of body, speech and mind, floating above the muddy waters of desire and attachment. By legend, Buddha was born with the ability to walk, and from every step taken, lotus flowers bloomed.

Parts of the lotus are also essential in traditional Asian herbal medicine.

The flowers, seeds, young leaves and roots (rhizomes) are also edible. In Asia, flower petals are arranged as garnish, and large leaves are food wrappings. The starchy roots (very long white or reddish tubers, with longitudinal canals) are common in Chinese cuisine with soup and stir-fry, and is the part of the lotus most widely consumed. Lotus roots are rich in dietary fiber, potassium, phosphorus, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, copper, manganese and vitamin C, while low in saturated fat. Stamens are dried and made into a fragrant herbal tea. Lotus seeds can be eaten raw, or dried and puffed like popcorn (makhanas). Seeds can also be boiled until soft and turned into paste, which when combined with sugar, is an ingredient in pastries such as moon cakes, daifuku (mochi), and rice flour pudding.

Botanically, the lotus is an aquatic perennial. The roots of lotus are planted in the soil of ponds or river bottoms. Leaves float on the water surface. Exquisite flowers, that can bloom up 12 inches in diameter, are usually on thick stems rising high above the water. Large, green seed heads (resembling the end of old-fashioned watering cans) remain on the stalk for quite a long time, gradually turning dark when ripe. If not restricted, lotus can spread aggressively. It is recommended that you plant lotus in a container in your home garden water environment.

Begin with a shallow, wide container filled with potting soil or mix, incorporated with one-fifth well-decomposed cow manure. Incorporate fertilizer at a ratio of 1/4 cup 10-10-10 per gallon of soil media. Plant your root rhizome at the edge of the container to promote horizontal growth across the top. After planting the rhizome, place a one- to two-inch layer of gravel or sand over the top of your soil medium to keep the soil in the container. Lower the container into six inches of water until growth starts. Then position the container where its bottom is no more than 18 inches below the water surface. If the water is too deep, use a brick or concrete block for support height.