Colors

• The lotus flower blooms in several colors, including orange, yellow, white, pink, blue and red. In Buddhism, four of the colors carry a specific significance. According to ReligionFacts, the white lotus symbolizes mental purity and spiritual perfection. The blue lotus represents wisdom of knowledge and also serves as a symbol of the spirit conquering the five senses. The pink lotus is a symbol of Buddha, and the red lotus encompasses all qualities of the heart, love, passion and compassion.
  
  

Spiritual Significance

• The Buddhists believe that the lotus flower represents their spiritual transformation, or progress of the soul, according to ReligionFacts. The Buddhists trace their spiritual growth from a murky beginning, through a cleansing into enlightenment. Similarly, a lotus flower's roots begin in the mud, its stem then develops through the water and complete its development (bloom) in the sunshine. In Christianity and in Hindu religions, the lotus flower is associated with divinity, according to Plantcare.com.
  
  

Medicinal Attributes

• According to Plantcare.com, the lotus flower was once used for a number of physical, and even mental ailments. It was commonly used to treat fevers, wounds, or to relieve pain. The flower has also been used to treat injured or sick animals.
  
  

Culinary Uses

• Many parts of the lotus flower are used for culinary purposes. The seeds, for example, may be eaten in a myriad of ways, from raw to cooked. In Chinese culture, they are commonly used in the dessert cheng teng. Similarly, the rhizomes are used in soups, pickled or made candied and served as a dessert.