Lotus Flower Symbolism
The Lotus is a plant that belongs to the Nelumbo genus, and it has long been associated with purity, rebirth and divinity.
Some, but not all, of the lotus flower symbolism is different across the major cultures that it plays a role. For instance in Buddhism it is seen as a sign of purity, associated with beauty in Hinduism, and with the Sun in Egyptology; more recently the significance of the Lotus has been incorporated into the Bahai religion.
A thing that is striking about the lotus is that although it often grows in mud, and returns within it at night, it always flowers clean the following day, this makes it a great item to use for a metaphor.
It also led the great Chinese Philosopher Confucius to state “I have a love for the Lotus, while growing in mud it still remains unstained”.
Source from http://www.lotusflowermeaning.net/