Think of a logo or icon to represent yoga. What’s the first idea that you get?
I bet you it’s a lotus!
Often, yoga is represented through the symbol of a lotus. But what makes this flower so significant in yoga practice? Let’s find out.
#1 Cultural Significance Traditionally, the white, pink, and blue lotus signify perseverance, enlightenment, and victory, respectively.
When we trace the origins of yoga, we find that this ancient practice has several links with Buddhism and Hinduism. In Buddhism, the lotus symbolizes the spirit soul’s ability to rise above all adversities, in the same way that a lotus emerges from murky waters. Meanwhile, the lotus flower is often a seat for Hindu Gods and Goddesses as it symbolizes purity.
#2 Relation with Chakras
Chakras refer to energy centers in our body and play a major role in yoga practice. Poses often target the opening of a specific chakra to improve the body’s physical and mental state of being.
Just as a lotus blooms in darkness and welcomes new light, unblocking chakras brings in positive energy and rids us of negative energy. For this reason, chakras are also often visualised as lotus flowers.
#3 Poses Inspired by the Lotus
The well-known lotus pose (Padmasana) is commonly used in meditation and calms the mind for higher intuitions. Sounds very lotus-like, doesn’t it?
Meanwhile, the lotus mudra is created by forming a lotus-like shape with your hands. Just as a lotus symbolizes purity and love, the lotus mudra taps into the heart chakra and awakens feelings of compassion and forgiveness.
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