Water lily

睡蓮 suiren

Water lilies on cool water make a refreshing summer motif. They are often confused with the lotus (hasu), the Buddhist symbol of purity rising from mud.

Native Japanese water lily (hitsujigusa); motif is mostly modern

A small water lily grows wild in Japan and is used as a Buddhist offering flower, but the classical Buddhist motif is the lotus (hasu), not the water lily. Water lilies became a popular decorative subject in modern times, helped by Western garden hybrids and Monet's famous Giverny paintings.

Used on summer kimono, yukata and obi for a cool, watery feeling.