hasu

lotus

The lotus carries a lot of symbolism with it, as well as being useful in daily life. It is a specialty food and is used as a medicine. It symbolizes harmony, with lotus leaves representing the wife and a fish swimming around the plant the husband. Along with orchid, plum, and chrysanthemum it is considered one of the "Four Loved Ones" of Chinese culture. It is a sacred flower in Buddhism, symbolizing enlightenment while the mud it grows in is human life. In addition, it is associated with death since "new souls in paradise are said to appear seated on lotuses."

Symbols of Japan: Thematic Motifs in Art and Design
Merrily Baird