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EGYPTIAN LOTUS FLOWER SYMBOL
The lotus flower symbol was revered by ancient Egyptians. Lotus flowers sink into water at night and emerge
again in the mornings. This singular trait closely associated them with creation, renewal and rebirth.
LOTUS FLOWER SYMBOLISM IN EGYPT
The Egyptian deity Nefertem was the god most closely associated with the lotus flower symbol.
The legend of Nefertem and the blue lotus has deep underlying meanings to it. According to the legend, at
the time of creation a lotus flower rose from the water. As the sun reached the bloom it slowly opened its petals, revealing
Khepri (a sacred sacarb) inside.
Khepri transformed into a young boy (the diety Nefertem). As Nefertem sat within the lotus weeping, his tears fell
and created humanity.
The hieroglyph shown to the left is a depiction of Nefertem with a blue lotus flower carved over his head.
BLUE LOTUS FLOWER SYMBOL
Three colors of lotus blossoms grow in Egypt; white, blue and pink. The blue lotus had particular signifigance for
them.
It is the blue lotus that you will find carved into temples, heiroglyphics, utensils and spoken of in stories.
The blue lotus (pictured to the right) grew copiously along the banks of the Nile. It was used as a food source,
a fragrance, and as a healing tonic.
Research into the blue lotus is now showing that it has psychotropic effects and may have produced a sense of
euphoria in those who ingested it. It's ability to affect the mood of those who consumed it is most likely one of
the reasons it was so revered by the Egyptian culture.
LOTUS DEPICTED ON EGYPTIAN ARTIFACTS
In this ancient egyptian art carving, Hert-watet-khet is shown smelling a blue lotus flower. Lotus blossoms were handed
out at parties, smelled for their aroma, turned into perfume and ingested for food and healing properties.
It was believed
that the blue lotus had strong aphrodesiac qualities, and women were gifted with the blue lotus by their suitors.
The Egyptian blue lotus flower is not a true lotus. It is from the water lily family, and as such has properties not found in
other lotuses. The Egyptian blue water lily rises above the water in the morning and sinks back under during the night. True
lotuses rise from the water once and stay above it until they are done blooming.
A lotus also has a large flat seed pod in it's center, where a lily does not.
The differences between the two flowers is contested by botanists, but most people are content to enjoy the beauty and
mystical nature of these lotus flowers regardless of whether they are a "true lotus" in the world of botany.
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