The lotus flower shows up a lot in Indian artwork.  The lotus is known as the “king of flowers” and it symbolizes goodwill, peace, prosperity and happiness.  Many Hindu gods and goddesses are shown seated upon the lotus.  The lotus grows in mud and water and yet it is considered beautiful and pure, untouched by the mud where it has its roots.  It reaches towards the sun, the light.  This is a quality that is admired, as it shows us that life can be good and pure and beautiful despite any undesirable elements in our beginnings.  We can convert our “mud” into beauty and thrive.