LOTUS FLOWER, A SYMBOL OF TRADITIONAL VIETNAMESE FOLK CULTURE

The lotus flower is one of the typical and highly symbolic symbols in traditional Vietnamese culture. With its bright red color, sweet scent, and delicate shape, the lotus has been associated with the lives of Vietnamese people for thousands of years. Not only is it a beautiful flower, but the lotus is also considered the soul of Vietnamese culture, expressing the spiritual values and noble qualities of the nation.

In this article, we will explore the origin and meaning of the lotus in Vietnamese culture, as well as the important role of the lotus in the life and art of the Vietnamese people. We will delve into each aspect to better understand the cultural and spiritual value of this special flower.

Origin of lotus in Vietnamese culture

The lotus plant is a gymnosperm that appears and develops early on the ground. The origin and history of naming the lotus flower started in India around 1979, then spread to China and the Asia-Australia continent.

Many people think that lotus flowers are only grown in parts of Asia. But the truth is that this flower appears everywhere in the world, we can see images of lotus in Europe, America, etc. However, in the West, lotus is mainly used for decorative purposes. decoration and beauty. In Vietnam, the lotus plant is grown and utilized comprehensively for tubers, stems, flowers, seeds, etc.

Commonly grown lotus types

Pink Guan Yin lotus: Pink Quan Am lotus is a type of lotus with a quite common and popular name. The tree has a thick stem, wide leaves, and beautiful pink flowers. Pink Guan Yin lotus can withstand strong light and does not require too much water. You can grow this lotus in a pot or in an outdoor area with sunlight.

Dai Doa white lotus: Dai Doa white lotus is a type of lotus with beautiful white flowers. The plant can withstand strong light and is suitable for growing outdoors. Dai Doa white lotus needs to be watered regularly and the soil needs to have good drainage.

Thousand-petaled lotus: Thousand-petaled lotus is a type of lotus with many slender leaves and a beautiful green color. Thousand-petaled lotus is a type of lotus with many slender leaves and a beautiful green color. The plant can tolerate low light and does not require too much water. Thousand-petal lotus can be grown in pots or outdoor areas with sunlight.

Lotus images in Vietnamese art and architecture

With its delicate shape and bright pink color, the lotus has become an indispensable source of inspiration for Vietnamese art and architecture. The image of the lotus flower is shown everywhere, from paintings, and sculptures to architectural works such as pagodas, temples, castles...

In architecture, lotus flowers are often used to decorate religious buildings because of the meaning purity, and elegance that it brings. Walkways, gardens, or grounds of religious buildings usually have lotus flowers planted around them, making the space more rustic and pure.

In art, the image of the lotus flower is shown in hand-painted paintings, embroidery, and sculptures. In particular, lotus flowers are often shaped in the style of folk art, creating a unique beauty and bold Vietnamese culture.

Lotus flowers in Vietnamese poetry, music, and paintings

Not only appearing in art and architecture, the lotus is also associated with many works of Vietnamese poetry and music. It is a source of inspiration for poets, musicians, and painters to express their love for their homeland and the lifestyle of the Vietnamese people.

In poetry, the lotus flower is often depicted as a symbol of love, purity, and immortality of Vietnamese women. Many poems about lotus flowers have become classic works in Vietnamese literature.

In music, the lotus flower is also a very used theme. Many songs such as "Lotus" performed by singer Cam Ly or "Lotus in the Mud" by singer Mai Kha have been widely spread and become symbols of Vietnamese folk art.

The cultural and spiritual value of Lotus

The lotus is not only a beautiful flower but also has great cultural and spiritual value in Vietnamese culture. It is considered a symbol of nobility, elegance, and purity, demonstrating the noble qualities of the Vietnamese people.

With the meaning of fertility and immortality, the lotus flower also evokes hope and faith in life. It is an endless source of inspiration for creativity and makes life more colorful and meaningful.

Lotus flowers and the daily life of Vietnamese people

Not only appearing in works of art and culture, the lotus has also become an indispensable part of the daily life of Vietnamese people. It appears everywhere, from flower gardens and parks to flower markets and festivals.

In daily life, lotus flowers are often used as gifts or decorations during holidays. We can see images of lotus flowers printed on ao dai, decorated in the house, and offered to parents and grandparents during religious holidays.

Lotus is used to treat diarrhea, infections, coughs, high blood pressure, fever, and many other illnesses. Lotus is available in many preparations, including dried roots, teas, powders, capsules, and extracts.

Dishes made from lotus flowers

Not only is it a beautiful ornamental plant, but parts of the lotus plant can also be used to prepare many attractive and unique dishes such as:

Steamed rice with lotus leaves (rice wrapped in leaves). Lotus

leaf steamed rice is one of the delicious lotus dishes that has become a Dong Thap specialty that attracts many diners. To make this dish, you need ingredients such as large lotus leaves, lotus seeds, dragon blood rice (small, clear, elongated, and red rice grains), sesame salt, carrots, some shiitake mushrooms, and Sausage... Especially with rice cooked with dragon blood rice, lotus seeds, and sesame salt, wrapped in lotus leaves, and then steamed. When the rice is cooked, open the lotus leaf, and you will see the eye-catching red rice color, dotted on the rice are a few white lotus seeds and prominent black sesame salt. When you eat, you will feel the delicious taste of rice steamed with lotus leaves. The more you chew, the sweeter, richer, and faintly scented by lotus.

Lotus root soup stewed with pork trotters

In the list of delicious nutritious lotus dishes, you cannot miss lotus root soup stewed with pork trotters. When enjoying this dish, you will feel not only the sweetness of the meat but also the gentle aroma of lotus seeds and lotus roots.

Lotus seed sweet soup Coming

to the West on hot days, there's nothing better than enjoying a cool glass of lotus seed sweet soup! This dessert will have a sweet taste with ingredients cooked together such as lotus seeds, almond powder, dried longan, or beans according to each person's preference. When eating sweet soup, you can add a little ice to create a refreshing feeling when enjoying it.

Lotus root salad

Lotus root salad is one of the delicious lotus dishes familiar to many people in the West. This dish often appears on holidays and parties. Lotus root salad is made from simple ingredients and has a not-too-complicated preparation method. The salad will usually have ingredients such as lotus roots, shrimp, meat, pig ears, carrots, cucumbers, peanuts, and herbs,... adding a special ingredient that is indispensable to make the dish more flavorful. salad dressing. The sauce must be moderately sour, spicy, salty, and sweet so that when mixed with the ingredients, it will add flavor to the dish and stimulate the taste buds.

Conclude

Above are the things we can understand about the lotus - the traditional cultural symbol of Vietnam. The lotus is not simply a beautiful flower but also carries the noble cultural and spiritual values of the nation. It has been associated with the lives of Vietnamese people for thousands of years and is considered an indispensable flower in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.