National Flower of India | Symbols of India
The National flower of any country should some connection with its culture, history, and heritage. It is meant to reinforce the country’s image to the world and play a part in upholding the qualities that the nation holds true. Lotus is the National Flower of India. Its scientific name is Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn. It belongs to the Nelumbonaceae family.
The Indian Lotus is an aquatic-type flower-like water lily. In Sanskrit, it calls the Padma and in Bangla it is Kamal. If we go through the history of southeast Asia, the National Flower of India, Lotus plays a vital role in history and has been featured in architecture, literature, and art of Buddhism and Hinduism.
It has been an integral part of Indian culture from time immemorial. A prominent feature of Indian mythology, the lotus is one with the Indian identity and represents the core values of the Indian psyche. The Lotus symbolizes spirituality, fruitfulness, wealth, knowledge, and illumination. The most important thing about lotus is that even after growing in murky water it is untouched by its impurity. On the other hand, the lotus symbolizes purity of heart and mind.
Indian authority embraced the Lotus as the India National flower in 1950. It is also the National flower of Vietnam. The Lotus is found in all the parts of India and it is native to South Asian countries. It is also famous in Japan, Australia, Europe, and the USA. The Lotus is considered sacred in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Devi Saraswati, Devi Laxmi, and Dev Brahma are illustrated to seat on Lotus. The National Flower Symbol of India is the symbol of purity of soul and divine beauty.
Facts About India National Flower
- Common Name: Indian Lotus, Padma, Kamal, Sacred Lotus
- Genus: Nelumbo
- Species: NelumboNucifera
- Adopted in: 1950
- Found in: All over India and native south Asian countries.
- Color: Blue, White, Pink, Red, Purple and yellow
- Number of petals: Many
- Number of Sepals: more than 30
- Habitat: Stationary water bodies like ponds, lakes, and artificial pools.
- Average Dimensions: 1.5 cm long; horizontal spread of 3 m
- Average Diameter: Leaves – 0.6 m; flowers – 0.2 m
- Average Number of Petals: 30
- Time of blooming: from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Period of blooming: All around the year, mostly in the rainy season
- Purpose: Decoration, Food, and herbal value
- Symbolism: Purity of soul and unity
The Lotus grows in Ponds, lakes, and shallow water beds. It is rooted in the muddy soil underwater. Each and every leaf and flower has one stalk that is upward from the root. They both flower and leaf stand 2-3 cm higher than the water surface through their stalk. Lotus blooms mostly in the rainy season. It has a lot of health and nutritious value. Many herbal medicines are made from lotus roots.
The lotus stalks contain vitamins, (B1, B2, B6, and C), Minerals (Potassium, Copper, Phosphorous, and manganese). Southeast Asian people eat it as a vegetable. The people of India and native countries eat Lotus seeds in raw. It is consumed as a sort of popcorn which is locally named PhoolMakhana also made by lotus seed.
Nutrition Facts of Lotus
- Lotus Root: Raw Nutrition Value per 100 g
- Energy: 74 KCal
- Carbohydrate 17.23g
- Protein 2.60g
- Dietary fiber 4.9g
- Vitamin C 44mg
- Riboflavin 0.220mg
- Pantothenic Acid 0.377mg
- Sodium 40mg
- Potassium 556mg
- Calcium 45mg
- Copper 0.257mg
- Iron 1.16mg
- Magnesium 23 mg
- Manganese 0.261mg
To sum up, the Indian Lotus is one with the national identity and it represents the core values of the Indian psyche. It is an inseparable part of Indian culture, history, and heritage. The Lotus flower Is The Symbol of Goddess Laxmi and Symbolises Wealth, Prosperity, and Fertility. The Lotus Symbolises Purity, Achievement, Long life, and Good Fate.
