Here are the living lotuses
There are two types, the American lotus with cream or yellow flowers, the Indian lotus with bright red, snow-white or pink flowers. Lotus flowers grow in muddy, watery ground above the surface of the water, where they unfold magnificently in their fascinating colours.

The lotus flower symbolises purity of heart, wisdom, happiness, perfection, power and divinity. The lotus plant possesses an extraordinary ability, the nap-like leaf surfaces repel water and dirt, which is also known as the lotus effect.
For Buddhists, the lotus embodies purity of mind, body and speech. The flower is one of the eight precious things that protect believers and temples.
The flower colours show the aspects of perfection. Red for compassion and heart, blue for triumph over the senses, white for the pure of mind, pink as the embodiment of Buddha and supreme divinity .In Buddhism, the enlightened are depicted on a lotus throne or in an open flower.
It is said that Buddha was born on the flower of life.