Purple Water Lily

Did you know

• It is the national flower of both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where it holds deep cultural and religious significance.
• The flowers open in the morning and close in the late afternoon, following the sun's path across the sky.
• In Buddhist tradition, the blue-purple water lily represents wisdom and knowledge, complementing the lotus of purity.
• The rhizomes, stalks, and seeds are all edible and have been used as food in South Asian cuisines for centuries.
• Ancient Egyptian artwork dating back 3,000 years depicts purple water lilies used in religious ceremonies and offerings.

Color meanings

Uses

• water gardens
• ornamental ponds
• religious ceremonies
• traditional food source