Yes, also share evidence for this - In Jain iconography, the lotus is used as a decorative or symbolic motif to indicate a purified, steady, and serene nature of a liberated being (a tirthankar or a soul on the path to moksha). It reminds practitioners to
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Yes. There is Jain iconographic evidence that the lotus is used to express purity, steadiness, and the serene nature of a liberated soul, and it is linked to specific Tirthankaras and Yakshinis in traditional depictions.
- Padmaprabha (the 6th Tirthankara) is associated with the red lotus as his lanchhan (emblem), and his radiant auras are described in lotus-like terms. This ties the lotus to a purified, enlightened nature. You can read about Padmaprabha’s lotus emblem and its meaning here.
- The same Padma (lotus) imagery appears in his mother’s auspicious dreams and in iconographic scenes, reinforcing the lotus as a symbol of purity and spiritual blossoming in Tirthankara narratives. See a related discussion of Padmaprabha and lotus imagery here.
- Padmavati (the Yakshini associated with Parshvanath) is often depicted seated on a lotus or holding lotus-related imagery, underscoring the lotus as a symbol of purity and protective, enlightened power in Jain art. You can read about Padmavati and her lotus associations here.
In short:
- The lotus in Jain art is a sign of purity, clarity, and detachment—qualities of a purified, liberated soul.
- It is closely tied to emblematic forms (like Padmaprabha’s lotus) and to yantras or depictions where Tirthankaras or their associated figures stand or sit on a lotus, symbolizing spiritual blossoming in muddy worldly existence.