What does lotus mean?
“Lotus” most commonly denotes the sacred lotus, an aquatic plant of the genus Nelumbo whose broad leaves and large flowers rise above the water. Its flowers may be white, pink, yellow, or another colour, and the plant has long held religious and cultural significance, especially in South Asian and Buddhist traditions. In art and architecture, “lotus” can also refer to a stylized flower motif inspired by the plant's symmetrical form. In meditation and yoga, it names a seated posture with the legs crossed and each foot placed on the opposite thigh. Historically, European botanical writers sometimes used “lotus” broadly for water lilies, including the blue lotus of ancient Egypt, although the modern sacred lotus and true water lilies belong to different botanical groups. The word evokes beauty, purity, stillness, and antiquity, making it common in poetry and cultural description as well as in botanical and architectural writing.
nounAn aquatic plant of the genus Nelumbo, especially the sacred lotus, with broad leaves and large flowers held above the surface of the water. The word can also denote the flower, a stylized lotus motif, or a cross-legged meditative posture.
- The sacred lotus, an aquatic plant of the genus Nelumbo, especially Nelumbo nucifera.
- The flower of a lotus plant.
- Any member of the genus Nelumbo.
- A stylized lotus-flower motif used in art and design.
- A cross-legged seated posture in which each foot rests on the opposite thigh.
"She paused beside the pond, watching a pale lotus open above the dark water."
"The lotus seeds germinated quickly in the warm, shallow water."
"The column was carved with a repeating lotus motif inspired by ancient Egyptian architecture."
“Lotuses” is the standard English plural when referring to the plants or their flowers.
"Several pink lotuses bloomed around the edge of the pond."
The pink water flower everyone calls a lotus is botanically not a true water lily—and its circular leaves inspired one of architecture's most enduring motifs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lotus come from?
The word entered English through Latin lotus, which was borrowed from Greek lōtos, a term applied to several lotus-like plants. Greek compounds such as lotophagy and lotophagous preserve the same lōtos element, especially in references to the legendary lotus-eaters of the Odyssey. European usage initially applied “lotus” broadly to aquatic flowers before the sacred lotus came to be distinguished as Nelumbo nucifera.
How lotus is actually used
The word is neutral in botanical contexts but often carries poetic, spiritual, or aesthetic associations. The historical expression “blue lotus” refers to a true water lily and should not be treated as another name for the sacred lotus.
Easily confused with lotus
A lotus is a member of the genus Nelumbo and usually holds its leaves and flowers above the water, whereas true water lilies of the genus Nymphaea typically have floating leaves and flowers.