In Lakshmi's iconography, she is either sitting or standing on a lotus and typically carrying a lotus in one or two hands. The lotus carries symbolic meanings in Hinduism and other Indian traditions. It symbolizes knowledge, self-realization, and liberation in the Vedic context, and represents reality, consciousness, and karma ('work, deed') in the Tantra (Sahasrara) context.Parasarthy, A. 1983. Symbolism in Hinduism. Chinmaya Mission Publication. . pp. 91–92, 160–62. The lotus, a flower that blooms in clean or dirty water, also symbolises purity regardless of the good or bad circumstances in which it grows. It is a reminder that good and prosperity can bloom and not be affected by evil in one's surroundings.Nathan, R. S. 1983. Symbolism in Hinduism. Chinmaya Mission Publication. . p. 16.Gibson, Lynne. 2002. Hinduism. Heinemann. . p. 29.
In Lakshmi's iconography, she is either sitting or standing on a lotus and typically carrying a lotus in one or two hands. The lotus carries symbolic meanings in Hinduism and other Indian traditions. It symbolizes knowledge, self-realization, and liberation in the Vedi.c context, and represents reality, consciousness, and karma ('work, deed') in the Tantra (Sahasrara) context.Parasarthy, A. 1983. Symbolism in Hinduism. Chinmaya Mission Publication. . pp. 91–92, 160–62. The lotus, a flower that blooms in clean or dirty water, also symbolises purity regardless of the good or bad circumstances in which it grows. It is a reminder that good and prosperity can bloom and not be affected by evil in one's surroundings.Nathan, R. S. 1983. Symbolism in Hinduism. Chinmaya Mission Publication. . p. 16.Gibson, Lynne. 2002. Hinduism. Heinemann. . p. 29.