I was drawn to paint this very sacred flower as it reminded me of my time spent in India.  Of course I had seen water lilies before, but never a lotus flower. I then learned that in Buddhism the lotus is symbolic of purity of the body, mind and spirit. It grows from the bottom of streams and muddy ponds and with its long stalks slowly rises above the water to bloom.  The flowers seem to float above the muddy waters of attachment and desire.  At night it closes and sinks below the water,  just to resurface again next day.  Sometimes when strolling through an Indian market place small bunches of these exquisite flowers were for sale. These flowers have a beautiful sweet fragrance often used in perfumes.