Lotus Flower Tattoo Meaning: Symbolism, Colors & Placements (2024)

Co-authored byAnnabelle ReyesReviewed byStina Garbis

Last Updated: December 17, 2023Fact Checked

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   Spiritual awakening & enlightenment The lotus flower is a sacred symbol of enlightenment in both Hinduism and Buddhism.^[1] It represents an individual’s spiritual journey from ignorance into wisdom and light. As a result, many people get lotus tattoos to signify spiritual awakening.^[2]

   • Lotus flowers are associated with the seventh chakra, also called the thousand-petal lotus chakra or the crown chakra.
   • This is the highest of all the chakras, located at the crown of the head, and it represents enlightenment and divine connection.^[3]
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   Resilience & beauty in the face of adversity Lotuses start out submerged in muddy waters, but they still bloom into beautiful flowers. Because of this, lotus tattoos symbolize resilience, rising above hardship, and blooming in spite of adversity.^[4]

   • Many people who deal with mental health issues like depression get lotus flower tattoos to represent their strength and perseverance through difficult times.
   • If you’re looking for a tattoo to serve as a reminder that beauty can come from even the murkiest environments, a lotus may be the perfect choice!^[5]

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   Transformation & rebirth Unlike other flowers, lotuses undergo a complete transformation every single day. Each night, they become closed buds and sink beneath the water, and each morning they rise and bloom again. Because of this unique, accelerated cycle, many people get tattoos of lotus flowers to represent endless transformation and rebirth.^[6]

   • This association goes all the way back to Ancient Egypt, where the lotus flower was considered a symbol of renewal and fresh starts.^[7]

   See Also

   The Meaning of a Lotus Flower Tattoo | California PsychicsHow Leo Woodall's 'White Lotus' character almost prevented him from landing 'One Day'Symbolism of the LotusLotus Symbolism — Gwan Soon Lee
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   Purity Because lotus flowers appear sparkling and clean despite their location in muddy waters, they’ve also come to represent purity.^[8] They’re associated with rising above materialism and earthly pleasures in favor of spiritual pursuits.^[9] Lotus tattoos can serve as beautiful reminders to resist temptations.

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   Love & compassion When a lotus is underwater each night, it is a closed bud, but its petals unfurl and open up completely each morning. The opening of the lotus symbolizes opening one's heart.^[10]

   • Many people get lotus tattoos to symbolize compassion and empathy for others, or as a reminder to live life in an openhearted way.^[11]

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1. The color of a lotus tattoo also affects its symbolic meaning. Many people opt for simple lotus tattoos with black outlines and shading. However, if you’re interested in a more colorful tattoo, there are tons of options that have deep significance. Here’s a list of different lotus colors and their associations, so you can pick the one that speaks to you the most!

   • White lotus: Symbolizes perfection, purity of mind and body, and the journey toward spiritual enlightenment.^[12]
   • Red lotus: Represents compassion and love.^[13] Often depicted with the petals open and blooming to symbolize open-heartedness.^[14]
   • Pink lotus: Symbolizes Buddha himself and represents his history, teachings, and essence. Associated with the highest form of spiritual wisdom.^[15]
   • Purple lotus: Represents mysticism and transformation.^[16] Also associated with royalty and wealth.^[17]
   • Blue lotus: Symbolizes wisdom, knowledge, and mental clarity.^[18] Represents letting go of earthly attachments to live a more mindful lifestyle.^[19]
   • Yellow lotus: Symbolizes joy, openness, generosity, and hospitality.^[20]

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   For a subtle option, consider a small lotus tattoo on your wrist or ankle. These placements are great options if you want to keep things simple and discrete, but still visible to you. Every time you see your tattoo, it can serve as a poignant reminder to persevere through hardship, one step at a time!

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   Opt for a stemmed lotus to fill vertical space. If you’re hoping to fill a longer, vertical space on your arm or leg, a stemmed lotus is a great choice because you can make the stem as long as you need it to be. Plus, you can even add a small leaf or bloom sprouting off from the stem to make the design more complex!

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   Go for a geometric lotus for a more detailed, intricate option. Ask your tattoo artist to fill your lotus’s petals with geometric designs and patterns for a beautiful, personalized touch. Or, ask them to set your lotus against a complex geometric background with tons of lines, shapes, and details to add an extra wow-factor!

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   To symbolize love and compassion, place a lotus tattoo near your chest. Since lotus flowers are associated with open-heartedness, it can be especially powerful to place a lotus tattoo on your chest or rib cage to be nearer to your heart. Choosing a red lotus for your tattoo further solidifies this message!

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   Choose a lotus flower emerging from water to symbolize resilience. If you want your tattoo to represent overcoming adversity, go for a design that depicts the lotus’s unique ability to rise above muddy waters and bloom into a beautiful flower!

6. See Also

   Order of the White Lotus

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   If you’re looking for something more unique, opt for an Egyptian lotus. Also called the Sacred Blue Lotus of the Nile, Egyptian lotuses are typically depicted with thinner, pointier leaves. They’re also a gorgeous, vibrant, purple-blue color.^[21]

   • In Ancient Egypt, these flowers were associated with creation and the sun.^[22]
   • They were also associated with Osiris, the god of the underworld, so they often symbolize death and rebirth.^[23]
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   Incorporate a mandala or unalome to symbolize spiritual enlightenment. If you’re looking for a more intricate or complex design for your lotus tattoo, these symbols make excellent additions! Both are sacred symbols in Buddhism and Hinduism, and they each carry special significance.

   • Mandalas are intricate geometric symbols that represent balance, harmony, and the interconnectedness of the universe.^[24]
   • Unalomes represent the journey of life.^[25] They’re often depicted with a lotus at the top, symbolizing the end goal of enlightenment.^[26]

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