We love the lotus design in these silk scarves designed by Phaeng Mai Gallery. At each end of the scarf are different lotus designs.
The lotus is such a powerful symbol within Buddhism and we found the following narrative about the lotus on the Buddhist site of Heartwood2000.com.
"In the great Tibetan mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum, 'Padme', means lotus. The lotus is a ubiquitous symbol in both Buddhist thought and art, but what is its significance?
"Above all else, the lotus is a symbol of awakening. The unfolding of its petals symbolizes the unfolding of consciousness as it moves towards enlightenment. The lotus has its roots in mud and murk but emerges as a beautiful flower. It is therefore also a symbol of hope because despite all our imperfections, the poisons of greed, hatred and ignorance that lie within us, we have the capacity for transformation and transcendence. In the words of the Buddha, 'within this very body, six feet in length, with its sense-impressions, thoughts and ideas, I declare to you, are the world, the origin of the world, and the ceasing of the world, and likewise the Way that leads to the ceasing thereof'.
The lotus is to be seen in different strands of Buddhism. In Buddha birth stories, it is said that as he took his first steps lotus blossoms sprang up from where he had walked. The Zen school of Buddhism is said to have originated when the the Buddha held up a lotus to the assembled monks and effecting the instant enlightenment of a monk called Kasyapa. And of course, the lotus is to be seen almost everywhere in Buddhist art."
