Symbolism of Lotus

In South Asia, the sacred Lotus is omnipresent in religious history. For Buddhists, beyond the fact that the lotus is considered as a sacred flower, it’s a symbol of every man and woman’s ability to surpass their conditions no matter their origin, and accomplish themselves, just like the lotus flower growing tall until it floats above the muddy waters. Everyone has the potential to elevate themselves and reach Buddha’s state “without letting the world pollute them, like a lotus on water” as cited in the Lotus Sutra, one of Buddhism’s most important educational texts offering extraordinary symbolism of lotus.

The plant on which Buddha is frequently seen sitting expresses all the promises of the future and of becoming a better man. For decades, the flower has been identified to symbolize wisdom and spirituality. We can equally read the Lotus Sutra as an encouragement to actively engage in others’ lives as well as society. The lotus flower is unlike any other flower. It grows in rough conditions, surrounded by mud under the water. The lotus seems to be fragile, but it is flexible and strong, and finally gets out of the muddy water to open itself to the world and become a beautiful flower.

Samatoa believes in the symbolic strength of the Lotus Sutra and is using the same positive and humanist dynamic on which it has developed its economic, social, and environmental project, allowing vulnerable women from small Cambodian villages to become autonomous, to live and to support their family decently. What better symbolism of lotus can be ?

There is a popular Asian saying that a pond without lotus is like a home without women. Indeed, the symbolism of lotus is still really important in the daily lives of the Cambodian people. Used in religious rituals as well as in domains like medicine, cuisine, and cosmetics, the lotus is far less known for its textile use. Once worn by Buddhist monks the weaving of lotus fiber was once known and used across South East Asia without a doubt.

However, this activity began to fall into obscurity. Only the inhabitants of Inle Lake’s floating villages have continued to perpetuate this ancestral craft. Day after day, Samatoa brings lotus fabric back to life guided by its symbolism. For Samatoa, the Lotus represents the culmination of the company’s ultimate quest for excellence.