SRI LANKAN DESIGN INFLUENCE - inspired by the lotus

The lotus flower represents the symbol of fortune in Buddhism. It grows in muddy water, and it is this environment that gives forth the flower’s first and most literal meaning: rising and blooming above the murk to achieve enlightenment.

The second meaning, which is related to the first is purification. It resembles the purifying of the spirit which is born into murkiness. The third meaning refers to faithfulness. Those who are working to rise above the muddy waters will need to be faithful followers.

The colour bears importance in the meaning of the lotus flower in Buddhism. A white lotus flower refers to purity of the mind and the spirit. If a lotus flower is red, it refers to compassion and love. The blue lotus flower refers to the common sense; it uses wisdom and logic to create enlightenment. The pink lotus flower represents the history of Buddha and the historical legends of the Buddha. A purple lotus flower speaks of spirituality and mysticism. Finally, the gold lotus flower represents all achievement of all enlightenment, especially in the Buddha.

The stage of growth the lotus flower is in represents a different stage of enlightenment. A closed lotus flower represents the time before a Buddhist follower found Buddha or enlightenment. A lotus flower fully bloomed and open represents full enlightenment and self-awareness.

The mud represents an importance in the meaning of the lotus flower in Buddhism. All humans are born in a world where there is suffering. This suffering is a vital part of the human experience; it makes us stronger and teaches us to resist the temptation of evil. When we banish evil thoughts from our mind we are able to break free of the muddy water and become one with the Buddha. The mud shows us who we are and teaches us to choose the right path over the easy one.

Finally, the lotus flower represents rebirth, both in a figurative and a literal sense. The rebirth can be a change of ideas, an acceptance of Buddha where there once was none, the dawn after one’s darkest day, a renaissance of beliefs or the ability to see past wrongs. In a literal sense, the meaning of the lotus flower in Buddhism represents rebirth as a reincarnation, such as in the Buddhist religion, when a soul leaves this world in its present form to be reborn in another.

This whole story behind this one small flower inspired me in my designing. Especially when selecting the colour palette. Also the top view of the flower makes a unique pattern. It looks very elegant but still it grows in a polluted area and that is where it stands out. 

Even the Lotus leaf makes an interesting scientific story. It is a very high water repellents. Dirt particles are picked up by water droplets due to a complex micro and nano-scopic architecture of the surface, which minimizes adhesion.

  This effect is a great importance for plants as a protection against pathogens like fungi or algae growth, and also for insects like butterflies, dragon flies and others which are not able to clean their parts. Another positive effect of self-cleaning is the prevention of contamination of the area of a plant surface is exposed to light resulting in a reduced photosynthesis.

Its just not only me who was inspired by this pretty looking flower but also the great architects around the world. There is a pond in pollanaruwa in the shape of a lotus. 

A pond in Polannaruwa in the
 shape of a Lotus.

Nelum pokuna theatre build by the Chinese Govt.

Not only in those days, even these days some buildings have been designed by the inspiration of the Lotus flower. The picture on the right side is a contemporary building built by the Chinese government in Sri Lanka.