World Religions

Opening the Doors of Understanding
Welcome to the World Religion Convention

Buddhist Symbols: Workshop 10B

The Buddhist religion uses many symbols. Some examples are the lotus, the endless knot, the parasol, the wheel, the golden fishes, and the victory banner.

The lotus is a flower. It is perhaps, the most well known symbol because in most pictures of Buddhist gods and goddesses, they are either seated on a lotus or are holding one. The actual lotus flower grows in the mud and rises above the water fairly high, sometimes reaching up to one foot in height. Different colors of the lotus symbolize different things. They are:

• White lotus- enlightenment

• Red lotus- a pure heart

• Blue lotus- victory

• Pink lotus- supreme

(Note: The pink lotus is considered the most sacred. As a result, a pink lotus is often associated with Buddhist gods and goddesses.)

A pink lotus flower
The endless knot has no beginning or end, symbolizing the Buddha’s great knowledge and wisdom. It is supposed to have originated from an ancient symbol of two entwining snakes.
The Buddhist symbol, the endless knot