연꽃

The lotus flower symbolizes nobility and purity, just like the saying 'close to the mud but does not smell of mud'. Associated with Buddhism, lotus flowers are often offered at temples, arranged on altars, and used in memorial ceremonies.

Lotus flowers are suitable for offerings at temples, arranging on altars during the full moon and the first day of the month, the Vu Lan festival, and other memorial occasions. Pink lotus is often used for Buddhist ceremonies, while white lotus has a more solemn and pure appearance.

Lotus blooms from around May to August, with the best time being in June. Outside of the season, there are still lotus flowers available, but they are usually smaller and more expensive.

Cut lotus flowers can last about 3-5 days. It's best to choose buds that are still closed, cut the stems at an angle, and inject water into the stems to ensure the flowers bloom evenly; lotus bought when already bloomed will wilt very quickly.