Saree Embroidery #14 - Lotus with Chain Stitch on Blue saree

Hi there,

The significance of the Lotus in Hindu mythology is a very well known fact.  Throughout many cultures over time, the lotus has been a powerful image and a spiritual symbol. In Hindu, Buddhist and Egyptian religions, the lotus is considered a sacred flower.

In Hinduism, Lotus represents the concept of primordial birth from the cosmic waters of creation. Numerous gods and goddess in Hindu pantheon are depicted as sitting on the lotus or carrying it.

Lord Brahma emerging from the navel of Lord Vishnu symbolically represents that life begins in water. Lord Vishnu represents that force which is responsible for all living and non-living. It also symbolically suggests that all living and non living are connected to the ultimate source through an invisible thread but we unfortunately don’t realize it.



Goddess Lakshmi
on a Lotus

Lotus flower is frequently mentioned in the ancient Sanskrit Hindu scriptures, as padma (pink lotus), kamala (red lotus), pundarika (white lotus) and utpala (blue lotus). The earliest reference can be found in the Rg Veda. Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and Goddess Saraswathi, the Hindu goddess of Learning are both depicted as seated on a lotus.

Because the lotus rises from unclean water to blossom as a pure, uncontaminated flower, it is a symbol of purity and resurrection.In the same way the lotus flower goes through much in its growth before emerging from dirty water to become a beautiful flower, the individual consciousness does the same on its path to enlightenment as the so-called impurities of unenlightened thinking gradually fade.

My friend, Mrs. Shailaja chose to embroider the divine lotus on her raw silk saree with alternating bands of colors.

Here is the picture of the saree's pallu where she placed two lotus flowers opposite to each other as if arising from the muddy ground but with the clear blue in the backdrop.
                                           Click on the pictures for a larger image..

The Lotus itself is done in very closely stitched Chain stitch covering the entire flower using silk threads in Red and Yellow, with the stem in dark green..

The remaining part of the border between the two shades of material is filled up with a lacy border in chain stitch in the same colors.

The body of the saree which is in dark shiny grey has been filled up with alternating embroidered mirror work.

Which flower do you want to embroider today?  Hope this post inspires you to go flower-hunting!