Lotuses have long been held sacred by Buddhists, Hindus, and Egyptians, whom all believe that Lotus flowers bring prosperity, fertility, and allow the inner being to bloom. Lotus flowers have long been revered by cultures all around the world, and has been used extensively in folklore, religion, literature, shrines, art, architecture, and sculpture.
The lotus is discussed in Buddhist literature, and is the object of meditation in Tantrik Buddhism. Indians believe that Brahma, creator and God of the universe, sprang from a lotus blossom. Architecture of the ancient Greeks is an offshoot of the Assyrian Phoenician architecture, which used the lotus as their basis. The Sacred Lotus has an American relative, Nelumbo petapetala, which was used as a source of starch by the Native American Indians.
In addition, the Lotus flower was immortalized in Homer's “The Odyssey” when Ulysses and his crew come ashore to an Island of the Lotus-Eaters. In addition, a number of wild animals feed on the plant, and fish find refuge in its underwater stalks.
The flower petals and leaves are typically made into a tea or decoction for internal and external use. They may also be used as a garnish, smoked, floated in soups.
