The lotus grows up out of standing water, out of the mud. So it’s a symbol of growth and enlightenment. This thing rising up out of gross mud and standing water and becoming a beautiful white flower.

That story suggests enlightenment and power.

They pair well with koi. You do them in standing water. And you don’t pair finger waves with them, because of how they actually grow in nature. Not that you have to follow the rule, but that’s the tradition. You can do them purple, or the natural white with gold on the inside, or in a variety of colors depending on the rest of the piece.