Eva's Birthday
The lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty, the heavily scented flower lies pristinely above the water basking in the sunlight. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.
Chinese poets use lotus flowers to inspire people to continue striving through difficulties and to show their best part to the outside world, no matter how bad the circumstances may be. This is understood as being just like the lotus flower, bringing beauty and light from the murky darkness at the bottom of the pond.
Untouched by the impurity, lotus symbolizes the purity of heart and mind, long life, health, honor, good luck...
Rebirth.
