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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. |
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "lotus." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "lotus." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-lotus.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "lotus." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-lotus.html |
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lotus
lo·tus / ˈlōtəs/ • n. 1. any of a number of large water lilies, in particular: ∎ (also sacred lotus) a water lily (Nelumbo nucifera, family Nelumbonaceae) of Asia and northern Australia, typically with dark pink or white-and-pink flowers. ∎ (also American lotus) a yellow-flowered North American water lily (Nelumbo lutea, family Nelumbonaceae) with bowl-shaped leaves. ∎ (also Egyptian lotus) a water lily (the white-flowered Nymphaea lotus and the blue-flowered N. caerulea, family Nymphaeaceae) regarded as sacred in ancient Egypt. 2. (in Greek mythology) a legendary plant whose fruit induces a dreamy forgetfulness and an unwillingness to depart. ∎ the flower of the sacred lotus as a symbol in Asian art and religion. ∎ short for lotus position. |
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"lotus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lotus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-lotus.html "lotus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-lotus.html |
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lotus
lotus (Skt, padma; Pāli, paduma). The lotus flower (nelumbium speciosum), a member of the water-lily family. The plant is used throughout Buddhist literature as a symbol of purity, since it grows with its roots in the mud but its blossom above the water. The mud symbolizes the roots of evil (akuśala-mūla), namely greed (rāga), hatred (dveṣa), and delusion (moha), while the blossom stands for enlightenment (bodhi). In iconography, holy figures are often depicted seated on a lotus blossom. Red and white are the colours most commonly associated with the lotus, although a blue lotus (Skt., utpala) is also known.
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DAMIEN KEOWN. "lotus." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAMIEN KEOWN. "lotus." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-lotus.html DAMIEN KEOWN. "lotus." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-lotus.html |
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Lotus
Lotus (Skt., padma). Religious symbol in Eastern religions.
HinduismThe lotus represents beauty, and also non-attachment: as the lotus, rooted in mud, floats on water without becoming wet, so should the one seeking release live in the world without attachment. More specifically, it represents centres of consciousness (cakra) in the body.BuddhismThe lotus summarizes the true nature of those who float free of ignorance (avidya) and attain enlightenment (bodhi). It is therefore the throne or seat of a buddha; and in Pure Land, it is the symbol of the Buddha's teaching.See also PUṆḌARIKA. |
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JOHN BOWKER. "Lotus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Lotus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Lotus.html JOHN BOWKER. "Lotus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Lotus.html |
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lotus
lotus. Ornament based on one of several water-plants, including the Egyptian water-lily, the source of much architectural enrichment of the stylized, bud, flower, and leaf type. Ancient Egyptian capitals decorated with both bud and flower motifs were common, and were revived in Egyptian Revival design. The lotus is related to a great number of common decorative devices, including the fleur-de-lys, the palmette, and sundry Classical and medieval motifs.
Bibliography Glazier (1926); |
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JAMES STEVENS CURL. "lotus." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES STEVENS CURL. "lotus." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-lotus.html JAMES STEVENS CURL. "lotus." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-lotus.html |
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lotus
lotus Common name for any water lilies of the genus Nelumbo and several tropical species of the genus Nymphaea. The circular leaves and flowers of some species may be 60cm (2ft) across. Nymphaea is sacred to the Chinese, Egyptians, and Indians. Family Nymphaeaceae. The genus Lotus is made up of the trefoils that belong to the unrelated Fabaceae/Leguminosae family. See also water lily
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"lotus." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lotus." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-lotus.html "lotus." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-lotus.html |
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lotus
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DAVID A. BENDER. "lotus." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAVID A. BENDER. "lotus." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-lotus.html DAVID A. BENDER. "lotus." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-lotus.html |
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lotus
lotus plant yielding a soporific fruit; water-lily of Asia, etc. XVI. — L. lōtus — Gr. lōtós, of unkn. orig.
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T. F. HOAD. "lotus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "lotus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-lotus.html T. F. HOAD. "lotus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-lotus.html |
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lotus
lotus see water lily . |
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"lotus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lotus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-lotus.html "lotus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-X-lotus.html |
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lotus
lotus •cactus • saltus • Diophantus • Sanctus
•Rastus, Theophrastus
•altostratus, cirrostratus, nimbostratus, stratus
•conspectus, prospectus
•momentous, portentous
•asbestos, Festus
•apparatus, Donatus, hiatus, status
•acetous, boletus, Cetus, Epictetus, fetus, Miletus, quietus
•Hephaestus
•Benedictus, ictus, rictus
•Quintus • linctus • eucalyptus • cistus
•coitus
•circuitous, fortuitous, gratuitous
•Hippolytus • calamitous • tinnitus
•Iapetus • crepitus
•precipitous, serendipitous
•impetus • emeritus • spiritous
•Democritus, Theocritus
•Tacitus • necessitous
•duplicitous, felicitous, solicitous
•covetous
•iniquitous, ubiquitous
•detritus, Heraclitus, Polyclitus, Titus, Vitus
•Pocahontas, Pontus
•Plautus, tortoise
•cobaltous
•Duns Scotus, lotus
•hostess
•arbutus, Brutus
•Eustace • conductus • cultus
•coitus interruptus • Augustus
•riotous • Herodotus • Oireachtas
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"lotus." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lotus." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-lotus.html "lotus." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-lotus.html |
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