In Buddhist symbolism, the lotus 🪷 represents purity, spiritual awakening, and the ability to rise above suffering. Because a lotus blooms cleanly from muddy water, it embodies the idea of transcending worldly attachments and reaching enlightenment. The emoji can carry a serene, sacred, or contemplative tone in messages inspired by Buddhist imagery.

In Chinese culture, the lotus is a long-standing metaphor for moral integrity and inner beauty. It appears frequently in classical poetry as a symbol of remaining pure amid chaos, most famously captured in the phrase “出淤泥而不染,” meaning to emerge unstained from the mud. The emoji can express admiration for someone’s character, a sense of quiet dignity, or the elegance associated with traditional Chinese aesthetics.