Natural symbol
Lotus (Padma / Kamal)
पद्म
Meaning
The lotus rises from muddy water yet remains unstained, and is therefore the standard symbol in Hindu thought for spiritual purity, dispassion (vairagya) and enlightenment unfolding from samsara. It is the seat (asana) of nearly every benevolent deity in iconography.
Use in rituals
- Offered fresh during Lakshmi Puja, Saraswati Puja and Vishnu archana
- Used as the asana on which deity murtis are seated for abhisheka
- Petals strewn during kanya-pujan, weddings and Diwali
- Lotus seeds (kamalgatta) strung as a mala for Lakshmi japa
- Drawn as the eight-petalled ashta-dala mandala on the puja altar
- Fresh lotus flower (preferred)
- Brass or silver lotus base for murti asana
- Stone-carved lotus pedestal
- Lotus-seed mala (kamalgatta)
- Painted clay lotus for rangoli
Iconography
A multi-petalled flower most commonly shown with eight petals (ashta-dala) in either a fully open form (vikasita) or partially open bud (mukula), depicted in pink, white, or red depending on the deity it accompanies.
Modern relevance
Adopted as the national flower of India; remains the standard iconographic seat for Lakshmi and Saraswati murtis in homes, weddings, government emblems and devotional art.
Explore further
See the full symbol library, the Goddess Lakshmi guide, related Sanskrit mantras, and the complete wisdom library.