Lotus is an aquatic plant. Its flowers are solitary at the top of branches, with single petals, compound petals, double petals and platforms. The petals are mostly white and pink, but also red and lavender. Its leaves are shield-shaped, with a dark green surface and a gray-green back. Rhizomes grow in silt and have pores inside. There is a lotus in the flower and a seed in the lotus.

Lotus is one of the top ten famous flowers in China. Since ancient times, many people have praised its muddy and pollution-free character. There are also many areas in China that are sacred places to enjoy the lotus, among which the West Lake is the most famous. Many cities also designate lotus as the city flower.