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While ‘blue lotus’ is in its name, this flower is not actually a lotus at all—it’s a lily. It is also known by the common names blue water lily, sacred blue lily of the Nile, and Egyptian lotus. It was brought to India from Egypt, where it was associated with the sun: the lotus, like the sun, opened in the morning and closed at night. It was also associated with the god Horus, who was often depicted sitting or standing on the lotus. In Egypt the flower was blue and white, and was seen as a flower of resurrection, and used in funeral rights and depicted in the artwork in tombs. In India it represents birth and rebirth; Brahma was born seated on a lotus flower. 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. The Sacred Lotus has an American relative, Nelumbo Petapetala, which was used as a source of starch by the Native Americans.
