The Impact of Lotus on Mythical Beliefs in Iran and India

Water lily (Lotus) is a sacred flower and a global symbol, which has captured the attention of people in several nations. In India it has been associated with gods and goddesses, and it is introduced by Mitra and Anahita in Iran. Hindus and Buddhists consider lotus as a valuable mystery, the symbol of the world, the manifestation of order and beauty, and the symbol of the four elements of soil, water, fire, and wind. After the tree of life, the lotus is the commonest and most famous symbol of manifestation. The shape of lotus in Indian culture is a mature flower, and in Iran it appears in both blooming and mature forms. The present paper aims to investigate the religious and mythical beliefs in both Iran and India, which used lotus as a godly symbol in decorative art. The findings show that lotus, because of its life stages, is the symbol of human’s growth in both countries, especially India. Also, declaring the artistic and mythical concepts related to lotus can aid this symbol’s lasting in the contemporary arts.