The most esteemed flower in the East is the lotus. No other plant has been given such a large number of sacral features. He was revered since the time of the creation of the world. The lotus flower is a symbol of the unity of the male and female principles in China. In India, it is associated with the birth of the universe, according to Buddhist beliefs, it was from him that everything was created. The bud opening symbolizes the development of the potential spiritual possibilities of man. In Egypt, it was believed that on the lotus, as on the throne, sat the supreme gods who patronized the Egyptians.
Among all the plants whose habitats are ponds, the lotus is the most spectacular and beautiful (a photo 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 characteristic for all species of flora, the range of which are any fresh water bodies. The lotus, whose flower and leaves are above the water, has a very long stem with rhizomes that go deep into the ground. Usually the plant can be seen in the coastal zones of ponds and lakes. The bud is framed by large leaves, the upper 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 the dust accumulates on the surface of the leaves and is washed off by drops of moisture, without harming the plant.
On the surface of the water surface, a single specimen of a plant can occupy a sufficiently large area. Lotus - a flower that, together with leaves in diameter, can occupy up to 5 meters.
For a comfortable growth the plant needs a temperature in the range of +30 to +35 degrees. Lotus - a flower with an amazing variety of colors palette, ranging from white and pink colors, ending with a bluish coloring of different shades. It has a strong aroma that is difficult to confuse with the smell of any other plant.
Seeds, similar to the cone, ripen in a box divided into several cells. In its structure, it is akin to poppy. The cup is protected from above by a plate with small holes.
In addition to the fact that the plant has a lot of sacred values, it should be noted and its practical use. The lotus (flower, leaves and stems) in India is eaten both raw and after heat treatment. For example, the seeds of the plant resemble the taste of all the known popcorn. Like corn kernels, they are fried before consumption.
Rizoma - a kind of tuber, from which the bud and stem is formed, also goes to food. It is rich in starch, but tastes slightly sweet. Lotus petals - a traditional component of tea blends.
As for the healing properties of the lotus, it normalizes the work of the intestine, removes seizures of various kinds 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.