Red Lotus

Red Lotus
Originally uploaded by juanerubio.

This is the famous red lotus, a flower that plays an important role in many Asian cultures and religions. Due to its beauty and to the fact that it grows in muddy swampy water, it symbolizes the purity and perfection over the sinful world and, usually, the Buddha himself is represented sitting down on a lotus flower or leaf.

In the picture, both the red-pink flower and the cone-shaped fruit, full of lotus seeds, can be seen. Both are edible and often used in certain dishes, as well as the leaves and stems. If you happen to see one of this plants, try pouring some drops of water on the leaves, I promise some funny behaviour!