Lotus or Waterlily? Understanding the Difference and Spiritual Meaning
Years ago, before I learned more about Buddhism, meditation, and spiritual rituals, I traveled through Sri Lanka and several other Asian countries. Besides the overwhelming beauty of the landscapes, I felt drawn to the peaceful, vibrant energy of temples and sacred sites, and especially to the beautiful flowers often seen on altars, like the one below from the famous Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.
At the time, my mind was often restless, but these travels opened something in me. An invitation to let go and open up spiritually. Looking back, I now realize it was the beginning of my own path, sparked by an early interest in Buddhism and inspired by the way this journey influenced my artwork.
One memory that stayed with me was from the south of Sri Lanka, where I took a boat to a small, quiet island. There, near the shore, stood a solitary Buddha statue, not part of a grand temple, just a serene figure surrounded by a few flower offerings.
As the sun touched a single flower on the altar (captured in the banner photo above), I had the feeling that someone had placed it there just moments before, with care and devotion. That quiet moment has stayed with me ever since.
Years later, I found myself painting many flowers in watercolor, especially lotus flowers and waterlilies. Some were based on photographs taken at Rotterdam Zoo Blijdorp, as you can see below, while others were created with more artistic freedom in color and form.
As I started exploring the symbolism of the lotus, I realized I didn’t fully understand the difference between a lotus and a waterlily. It’s a common question: what is the difference between a lotus and a waterlily?
Although they look similar, they are different plants. Waterlilies (Nymphaea) usually float on the surface of the water, with leaves that have a small opening or slit, and flowers that rest on or just above the water. Lotus plants (Nelumbo), on the other hand, have fully round leaves without an opening, and both the leaves and flowers often rise well above the water on long stems. Their leaves also have a special quality: water simply rolls off them.
Another difference can be found in color. Waterlilies come in a wide range of colors, including blue and purple, while lotus flowers are usually white, pink, red, or yellow.
It’s easy to understand why they are often confused. In some cultures, the same word is used for both flowers, and there is even a waterlily called Nymphaea lotus. In ancient Egyptian and Asian traditions, the “blue lotus” that is often mentioned actually refers to a waterlily.
Looking back at my photos from Sri Lanka and Blijdorp, I now believe that most of the flowers I saw there were in fact waterlilies. My watercolor paintings, however, often lean more towards the form of the lotus, although there is always a certain level of artistic interpretation involved.
Both the lotus and the waterlily carry deep spiritual meaning across different cultures. They are powerful symbols of rebirth, enlightenment, and inner transformation.
The lotus is especially known for its journey: growing from the mud and rising through the water to bloom in the light. It reflects how we, too, can grow through difficult circumstances and open into a more peaceful and aware version of ourselves.
When I was in Sri Lanka, I knew nothing about this symbolism. But the image of that single flower glowing in the sunlight stayed with me. It touched something in me, and perhaps, without me realizing it at the time, it became the beginning of my own spiritual journey.
Note: This article was updated after receiving a valuable insight from a specialist in waterlilies and lotus flowers.
