Table of Content
- Lotus in Hindu and Buddhist Mythology
- Lotus As a Symbol in Indian Arts
- Lotus Iconography of Arts from Different Indian States
- Lotus as a Decorative Motif
The lotus flower has great significance in Indian religions, culture, and art. The lotus is a recurring motif of Hindu and Buddhist religions, and it symbolises creation, purity and enlightenment. Lush lotus ponds are a common sight in the Indian subcontinent. Lotus flowers are often used for religious ceremonies and decorations.
Due to its cultural and religious significance, lotus flowers were often featured in ancient Indian paintings, sculptures and architecture. The Buddhist cave paintings of Ajanta (2nd century BCE to 6th century CE) feature lotus in different forms. Over the years, using lotus as a symbol and a decorative motif has become a widespread practice among Indian artists. Let’s look at the spiritual meaning of the lotus symbol and how it’s used in prominent Indian art forms.
Lotus in Hindu and Buddhist Mythology
Ancient Hindu texts like Vedas and Puranas have many references to lotus. The Hindu myth of creation says that when Vishnu was resting on the milk ocean, a lotus bloomed out of his navel. On top of this lotus sat Brahma, the God of creation. Puranas also say that during the churning of the milk ocean, or Samudramanthan, Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, emerged out of the ocean, sitting on a lotus.
Maha Lakshmi In Kalamkari by Harinath N
In Buddhism, Bodhisattvas are often depicted sitting on a lotus flower. It symbolizes their state of enlightenment. Buddhists believe that when a person is born, a lotus blooms out of a sacred lotus pond in paradise. In Buddhist paintings and sculptures, Avalokiteshvara, the compassionate Boddhisatva, is often depicted holding a lotus flower. So, in Buddhism, offering a lotus is considered as offering peace and compassion.
Awalokiteshvara: Thangka Painting by Krishna Tashi Palmo
Lotus As a Symbol in Indian Arts
The close connection of the lotus with religion and spirituality, along with its pleasing aesthetics, has made it a recurring motif in Indian art. Indian artists use lotus as a decorative element and as a symbol to convey specific meanings.
Symbolism of Lotus
Here are the main symbolisms of the lotus flower and the possible origins of these symbolisms.
Purity: Lotus blooms in murky ponds, yet its petals are pristine and beautiful. Hence, the lotus is often considered as a symbol of purity.
Transition: The lotus plant as a whole shows a transition—its roots are in the murky mud, its leaves rest above clearer water, and its pristine flower looks up at the heavens. Lotus belongs to the underground, the middle world and the heavens, all at the same time. So, the lotus is often shown as a symbol of a person’s transition from sin to salvation.
Creation: Due to the lotus’s connection with the Hindu mythology of creation, it’s often used as a symbol for creation.
Rebirth: At dusk, the lotus flower closes its petals and sinks into the water, and the next morning, it rises and reopens its petals. This may be the reason why the lotus flower is often shown as a symbol of rebirth.
Prosperity: Goddess Lakshmi sits on the lotus flower. Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth, fertility, and prosperity. Due to its association with Goddess Lakshmi, lotus also symbolizes prosperity.
Enlightenment: In Buddhism, the lotus symbolizes enlightenment. Buddha is depicted as sitting on an eight-petal lotus, and each petal represents a path to self-conquest.
Lotus Iconography of Arts from Different Indian States
Lotus is a common motif that’s being repeated across art from different states, cultures and religions in India. Here are some art forms that feature lotus as a symbol.
Pichwai Paintings, Rajasthan
Pichwai is a type of Hindu religious painting that originated in the town of Nathdwara in Rajasthan. In Pichwai paintings, Shreenathji, a form of Krishna at the age of seven, is often depicted holding lotuses in different states of blooming. These lotuses symbolize the transformation of a soul through various stages in the cycle of birth and death. Lotus ponds are also a common motif in Pichwai paintings.
Shreenath Ji, Pichwai Paintings by Dinesh Soni
Madhubani Paintings, Bihar
Madhubani is a vibrant Indian art form that originated from the Mithila region in the state of Bihar. In rich and vivid colours, Madhubani paintings depict the village life, religious rituals, flora, and fauna of the Indian subcontinent.
Ponds with fish and lotus are an important theme of Madhubani paintings. This may be inspired by several lotus ponds in this geographic area. Madhubani artists use fish as a symbol of fertility and prosperity, whereas the lotus represents purity and enlightenment. These paintings symbolize the balancing of wealth and purity in life.
In Madhubani paintings, lotuses also symbolize female beauty and power. The delicate petals symbolize beauty, whereas the sturdy stem of a lotus plant represents feminine power.
Lotus and Fish in Madhubani by Ambika Devi
Mandana Folk Art, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh
Mandana is a religious art form, often created by women, in reverence of Goddess Lakshmi. Since Lakshmi is closely associated with lotus, the flower has a crucial role in the Mandana art form.
Lotuses are often depicted with four, eight or sixteen petals, and it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi resides in such an artwork. Women prepare it in front of their houses to usher in prosperity. The below Mandana painting depicts a Kamal Baroi or a lotus pond.
Symphony of the Lotus: Mandana Art by Vidya Soni
Kalamkari Paintings, Andhra Pradesh
Kalamkari is a vibrant art form that depicts various themes like mythology and day-to-day life. In Kalamkari, Gods are often depicted in shades of blue, and lotus is frequently used as a decorative element.
In the Kalamkari painting below, Krishna is depicted dancing with cows, and lotus motifs are used to beautify the background.
Dancing Krishna With Cows : Kalamkari painting by Harinath.N
Lotus as a Decorative Motif
Apart from religious symbolisms, the lotus flower is also a major decorative motif in Indian art and architecture. Many art forms across India use lotus motifs in different styles, shapes, and sizes to create a beautiful backdrop.
For example, lotuses are often used in Mughal miniature paintings as a decorative element.
Pink Lotus In Mughal Miniature by Mohan Prajapati
Lotuses are also used as a decorative motif in blue pottery works, a craft that originated in Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan.
Full Bloom Lotus In Blue Pottery Plate by Gopal Saini
Lotus Ponds a Natural Setting: Gond and Kalighat Paintings
The Indian subcontinent is abundant with lotus ponds. These lotus ponds have made their way into many Indian art forms, especially as a romantic backdrop. Lotus ponds are depicted in the ancient Buddhist cave paintings of Ajanta and later adopted by artists who practice various styles and forms.
In the below Kalighat painting, the artist depicts Radha and Krishna sharing a romantic moment amidst beautiful nature. The lotus pond adds beauty and vibrance to this natural setting.
Fields of Devotion: Uttam Chitrakar's Kalighat Romance
Lotus ponds are also depicted in the Gond paintings from Madhya Pradesh. The Gond art form has a minimalist style that uses dots and lines to depict lively, vibrant subjects like animals, mythological characters, the Tree of Life, and jungle scenes.
Here is a minimalist Gond painting that portrays a vibrant elephant in a lotus pond.
Elephant in lotus pond in Gond by Venkat Shyam
Lotus ponds are not just used as decorative elements in paintings. In her beautiful terracotta creations, Dolan Kundu, a master terracotta artist from West Bengal, skillfully features lotus ponds in various styles.
Fishes in the Pond Decor Plate: Terracotta by Dolon Kundu
India’s national flower lotus, has been associated with the subcontinent’s religions, mythology, art, and architecture for thousands of years. It could have been first depicted as a religious symbol in ancient art. However, the tradition of using lotus as a symbol and decoration has transcended art forms and religions. The lotus iconography is an example of how Indian art highlights the beauty and divinity of everyday objects.
References:
- Aamir, Naela. (2017). From Divinity to Decoration: The Journey of Lotus Symbol in the Art of Subcontinent.
- Lotus, National Flower, published by Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, first edition 1998.
- Mandana, The National Institute of Open Schooling.
