When the Lotus Blooms

We have waited all summer, and finally the Lotus joined the water lilies in the fish pond, with its mid-August bloom. Notice the the large round leaves of the lotus, standing on tall stalks.

Surrounded by the large fan-like lotus leaves, the white and pink streaked lotus blossom opened in mid-August.

The lotus is the most sacred flower in Hindu and Buddhist culture. It represents something unearthly and enlightening. The lotus has been revered for thousands of years. I remember seeing them at the Summer Palace in Beijing, China.