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| Nymphaea lotus |
Nymphaea lotus
Sinhala: Olu
Tamil : Ambal
Olu Start blooming at 10 p.m. and close at 11 am
Olu flowers are amazing and have strong symbolic ties to many Sri Lankan religions. Grow in colors of blue, pink, white and yellow. The different colors are said to have different meanings. For instance white lotus flowers are said to represent a state of spiritual perfection and total mental purification while the red lotus signifies the original nature and purity of heart. It is known as the lotus of love, compassion, passion and all the other qualities of the heart. The blue lotus is said to signify wisdom and symbolize victory of the spirit over the senses. The pink lotus is called the supreme lotus and is generally reserved for the highest deity. In fact it is associated with the Buddha himself. Next time you pick a nelumbo lotus or offer it at the temple or kovil, remember how special this flower.
The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the waters surface continually moving towards the light. Once it come to the surface of the water the lotus flower begins to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower. The plant is also found as an ornamental plant in almost Sri Lanka.
Within Hinduism and Buddhism the lotus flower has become a symbol for awakening to the spiritual reality of life. The meaning varies slightly between the two religions of course but essentially both religious traditions place importance on the lotus flower.
Water lily is used in different Ayurvedic medicine preparations too. Lotus is a wholly edible species and is cultivated widely for its crisp rhizome and seeds, though the flowers and leaves are also eaten in some parts. Petals of the lotus flowers are used as garnish while the stamens are dried and used as a fragrant herbal tea. Rhizomes are used in soups or stir-fried and eaten. Lotus roots are said to be rich in dietary fibers, Vitamin C, copper and phosphorus but low in saturated fat. Seeds are sometimes boiled and made into a paste or eaten like pop-corn.
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