PADMA

 Padma, is term literally used for lotus which may be of any colour except blue. But the term has many religious and cultural connotations. The blue lotus is designated by the term  Utpala or Nilotpala. In Tantric works the Padma is the day lotus, while Utpala stands for the night lotus. Padma is specially regarded as sacred when the lotus is shown with  petals in both the upper and lower directions. It is called the Viswa-padma. The double lotus. Padma indicates purity or descency. In Buddhist tradition it symbolizes self creation and thus, it is the sign of Swayambhu. In Vajrayana Buddhism it represents the female principle. White open padma appears above the left shoulder of Avalokiteswara Padmapani whose spiritual parents are Dhyani Buddha Amitabha and White tara.