lotus

lotus in Greek mythology, a legendary plant whose fruit induces a dreamy forgetfulness and an unwillingness to depart.

Lotus is also the name of either of two large water lilies, a red-flowered Asian lily, the flower of which is a symbol in Asian art and religion, and a white- or blue-flowered lily regarded as sacred in ancient Egypt.

The word is recorded from the late 15th century, denoting a type of clover or trefoil described by Homer as food for horses; it comes via Latin from Greek lōtos, and is of Semitic origin. The term was used by classical writers to denote various trees and plants. This legendary plant, mentioned by Homer, was thought by later Greek writers to be Ziziphus lotus, a relative of the jujube.
lotus-eater a person who spends their time indulging in pleasure and luxury rather than dealing with practical concerns. The lotus-eaters or Lotophagi in Greek mythology were a people who lived on the fruit of the lotus. Lotophagi is recorded in English from the early 17th century, but the first use of lotus-eater is in the title of a poem by Tennyson, The Lotos-eaters (1832).
lotus position a cross-legged position for meditation, with the feet resting on the thighs.
Lotus Sutra one of the most important texts in Mahayana Buddhism, significant particularly in China and Japan and given special veneration by the Nichiren sect.