Lotus flower has strong symbolic ties with many Asian religions, particularly in India. Hinduism and Buddhism treat the flower as an awakening symbol to the spiritual reality of life. Both the religions give equal importance to the flower, but the meaning is slightly different.
The awakening symbol has been attributed especially to the growth pattern of the flower. Lotus grows as a little flower in the dirty mud and muck at the bottom of the pond. The stem of the flower gradually grows until it reaches the water surface owing to its response to light. Only after it comes to the surface, it begins its blossoming process and eventually turns into an attractive flower.
The Lotus flower tattoo is tied to its religious symbolism. However, most of the tattoo experts are under the assumption that the flower tattoo represents life in general. Similar to its progress from the dirty mud and muck to a beautiful flower on the water surface, people also change into attractive ones as they grow up. This is a symbolism, which ideally represents a person's struggle for life.
People who have experienced hard times in the past and just coming out of those dreadful moments prefer Lotus tattoos. Though we start from dirty backgrounds, we should blossom beautifully like a lotus. This is the meaning tried to express by the people by wearing a lotus tattoo. The Lotus tattoo artistically represents those who have come up successfully in their lives through hard work.
Japanese also prefer Lotus flower. Lotus and peonies are the two flowers, which are popularly used by Japanese tattooists. They give a final addition to the Koi fish tattoos, though it is rare to see two Koi fish along with lotus flowers in a pond at the front of a temple. Koi fish represents strength and individualism.