LOTUS PATTERNS IN ART AND DESIGN FORMS CULTURAL MEANING AND METHODS OF TEXTILE APPLICATION
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Date
2026
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DEPARTMENT OF ART AND DESIGN
Abstract
The lotus flower has long been an important symbol in art and design across many cultures. Although it is widely used in modern textiles, its deeper cultural and symbolic significance is often overlooked, with the lotus flower being treated mainly as decoration. This project addressed the gap between the traditional significance of the lotus and its contemporary textile applications. The thesis explored the forms of lotus patterns in historical and modern art, examining their cultural significance in various societies. Through visual research and practical experimentation, the study developed methods for incorporating lotus motifs into textile designs. The outcome was textile samples and design prototypes that combined traditional symbolism with creative textile techniques. Overall, the project demonstrated how lotus patterns could be reinterpreted as meaningful and innovative designs in contemporary textiles. The lotus flower is a significant symbol in art and design that has appeared in Egyptian architecture, Indian spiritual iconography and East Asian Buddhist art for centuries. Traditionally, it represents purity, spiritual awakening, resilience and rebirth. However, in contemporary textile design, lotus motifs are often used solely for decoration, overlooking their cultural, historical and structural significance. Previous studies have focused either on pattern development or cultural symbolism, rarely connecting the two. This project aims to bridge this gap by studying lotus forms and their cultural meanings, translating them into meaningful textile designs and elevating
the motif from decorative repetition to a design element informed by culture.