Nymphaea Caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea (Savigny) Verdc. (syn. Nymphaea caerulea Savigny)
Nymphaea caerulea, the Sacred Blue Lotus of ancient Egypt, is one of the most symbolically and historically significant flowers on earth. Its star-shaped pale-blue petals open each morning with the sun and close at dusk, making it the living embodiment of the Egyptian creation myth: the daily rebirth of the sun god Ra from the primordial waters, symbolizing creation, rebirth, spiritual awakening, and the cycle of eternal life.
Nymphaeaceae (Water Lily family)
Summer (July through end of summer); each flower lasts 3 to 4 days, opening and closing with the sun each day
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: brugmansias and nymphaeas also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Nymphaea caerulea is arguably the most symbolically significant flower in human history. In ancient Egyptian creation mythology, before there was anything, there was only the dark primordial water of chaos. From these waters emerged a great blue lotus, which opened to reveal the young sun god Ra (or Atum, depending on the tradition), whose light ended the universal darkness and began creation itself. This myth explains the flower's behavior: it closes its petals at sunset and reopens them at sunrise, mirroring the daily journey of Ra across the sky. The blue lotus was sacred to the Egyptian deity Nefertem, god of healing and beauty, who was depicted wearing a blue lotus headdress. It appears throughout Egyptian art and architecture: in temple carvings at Karnak, in tomb paintings including the dances of Nebamun's tomb fresco, on drinking vessels, jewelry, and in the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Pharaohs' mummies were covered in its petals. It was the floral symbol of Upper Egypt, alongside the papyrus of Lower Egypt together representing the union of the Two Lands. In Indian spiritual traditions it is associated with enlightenment and the awakening of consciousness. Its ability to rise clean and radiant from the mud of the Nile offered the Egyptians a perfect metaphor for the soul's journey: purity and spiritual transcendence arising from the chaos and impurity of the material world.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade; blooms most prolifically in full sun (6 or more hours per day); tolerates some afternoon shade with reduced flowering
Water
Fully aquatic; grows in still or slow-moving freshwater; plant containers in 23-40 cm (9-16 inches) of water warmed to at least 21 degrees C (70 degrees F)
Soil
Aquatic; grows in nutrient-rich mud or clay at the base of water bodies, Plant rhizomes in a clay-loam or aquatic compost in containers
Expert Growing Tips
Plant rhizomes in spring at a 45-degree angle with the growing tip just above the soil surface in a container of clay-loam or aquatic compost
Set containers in 23-40 cm (9-16 inches) of water after the water temperature has warmed to at least 21 degrees C (70 degrees F)
Rhizomes overwinter in the ground outdoors only in USDA zones 10-12; in cooler climates bring containers indoors before first frost
For indoor overwintering, store dry rhizomes in barely damp peat or sand at 10-15 degrees C (50-59 degrees F); replant in spring
Protect from wind; leaves can drown if water is repeatedly splashed over them
Be aware: this species is now threatened in its native Nile Delta habitat following the construction of the Aswan Dam, which eliminated the annual floods essential to its survival there
NOTE: Legal status varies by country; Nymphaea caerulea is a scheduled substance in Latvia, Poland, and Russia; check regulations in your jurisdiction before obtaining or growing this plant
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Sacred historical centerpiece of ancient Egyptian garden ponds and temple pools
- Ornamental pond and water garden plant of extraordinary historical significance
- Fragrant aquatic specimen plant; flowers carry an alluring sweet fragrance
- Natural perfumery material; used since ancient times to produce lotus perfumes and oils
- Cut flower for short-term display; typically lasts 3 to 4 days after cutting
- Aromatherapy and spa water treatments using the fragrant flowers
Traditional Uses
- Sacred to the god Nefertem in ancient Egypt, who was depicted wearing a blue lotus crown; the flower was offered in temple ceremonies to Ra and Nefertem
- King Tutankhamun's mummy was covered in blue lotus petals when his tomb was opened in 1922
- Contains psychoactive alkaloids nuciferine and apomorphine; ancient Egyptians used infusions in wine or oil to induce mild euphoria and heightened spiritual awareness
- Modern research indicates antioxidant, relaxant, and mild aphrodisiac properties; used in contemporary aromatherapy for stress relief and enhanced meditation
- Used to produce perfumes and fragrant oils since ancient times; one of the oldest recorded perfumery materials
- CAUTION: Consumption of Nymphaea caerulea can cause toxic effects at high doses; always consult a medical professional before use
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Nymphaea Caerulea
What does the Egyptian Blue Lotus symbolize?
Nymphaea caerulea symbolizes creation, rebirth, spiritual awakening, and the cycle of eternal life. In ancient Egyptian mythology, the blue lotus was the flower from which the sun god Ra emerged at the moment of creation. Its daily cycle of closing at sunset and reopening at sunrise made it a living symbol of the divine cycle of death and rebirth, mirroring the soul's journey through the afterlife.
Is Nymphaea caerulea the same as the sacred lotus?
No. Nymphaea caerulea, the Egyptian Blue Lotus, is a water lily belonging to the genus Nymphaea, while the sacred lotus of India is Nelumbo nucifera, a completely different plant from a separate genus and family. Both hold profound sacred significance in their respective cultures, and both are sometimes called lotus, which causes considerable confusion. The two plants have different growth habits, flowers, and chemical compositions.
Is Nymphaea caerulea psychoactive?
Nymphaea caerulea contains psychoactive alkaloids including nuciferine and apomorphine, which are believed to produce mild euphoric, relaxant, and mildly aphrodisiac effects. Ancient Egyptians are believed to have used it infused in wine or oil for spiritual ceremonies. Modern research has confirmed the presence of these alkaloids, though their effects at typical doses are mild. High doses may be toxic, and the plant is a scheduled substance in Latvia, Poland, and Russia.
Why is the Egyptian Blue Lotus endangered?
Nymphaea caerulea was once abundant throughout the Nile Delta in Egypt but has largely disappeared from its native Egyptian habitat. The primary cause is the construction of the Aswan High Dam, which ended the annual Nile floods that historically maintained the shallow, nutrient-rich conditions in which the plant thrived. The Missouri Botanical Garden notes that the species is now endangered in the Nile Delta, though it remains widespread elsewhere in Africa and Asia.
What is the connection between Nymphaea caerulea and King Tutankhamun?
When archaeologist Howard Carter opened Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922, the young pharaoh's mummy was found covered in blue lotus petals, a powerful illustration of the flower's role in Egyptian funerary practice. The blue lotus was believed to guide and protect the soul through the afterlife, and its presence in the tomb reflected the Egyptians' conviction that the pharaoh's soul would, like the lotus, be reborn from the primordial waters into a new day.
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