Water Lily Symbolism Goes Back to Ancient Times
Have you ever stopped to appreciate water lilies as they float on calm waters? For those of us who spend our summers in central and eastern Canada, this serene image is familiar. But how many of us have paused to consider the deep cultural and spiritual history behind water lily symbolism?
Water lilies have a rich cultural history of representing resilience, regeneration, purity, and strength. In her work, Noémie puts a new twist on a symbol that is as timeless as it is beautiful. Her work is playful, hearkening back to the root-word of the water lily’s scientific family, Nymphaceae, which comes from the Ancient Greek word for lively nature spirits: nymph.
This blog will explore a few of the most fascinating instances of water lily symbolism in art history.
Noémie L. Côté, Savoring Summer (48” x 48”), 2023
Water Lily Symbolism in History
In Ancient Egypt, the blue lotus water lily represented a connection to the afterlife and the creation of the world itself. The water lily was closely tied to the sun god Ra, as the flower opens with the sunrise and closes with sunset, aligning with the cyclical nature of life. This connection to the sun symbolized creation itself. Beyond spiritual beliefs, the water lily also played a role in Ancient Egyptian medicine — when prepared correctly, it was used as a narcotic and aphrodisiac.
Lotus Flower Inlay, New Kingdom, Amarna Period, ca. 1353–1336 B.C.
All the way across the Atlantic, water lilies historically have symbolic meaning in South America. In the regions surrounding the Amazon River, the Victoria amazonica water lily is so thick and wide in diameter that it can support the weight of a full-grown human! The stunning pink and white flowers are seen as a symbol of beauty, purity, and strength among the indigenous peoples of the region. The water lily's symbolism in this context even extends to Guyanese national identity; with the flower appearing on Guyana’s coat of arms.
Water Lily Symbolism in Impressionism
Water lilies were given a new symbolic life during the Impressionist period. One of the most famous examples is Monet’s iconic Nymphéas series. Inspired by water lilies in Japanese gardens, Monet created approximately 250 paintings featuring water lilies over the course of decades. As he painted he developed them into a symbol of impressionism itself. They also reflect changes in his artistic style and his physical vision as he aged and began to develop cataracts, making them an important archive of the artist’s lived experience.
Following World War I, Monet decided to gift the first two of his Nymphéas cycle to France, as symbols of peace and restoration for the nation. The paintings were made specifically to fit the architecture of the Musée de l’Orangerie, where these pieces are still housed. There, Monet’s work continues to speaks to a sense of calm and beauty amidst turmoil, making these paintings an enduring symbol of resilience and hope.
Claude Monet, Water Lilies, 1917-1919
Evolution of Water Lily Symbolism in Contemporary Art
Contemporary artists continue to explore the symbolism of water lilies in their work. Like Noémie, Erin Hanson was inspired by Monet and the spiritual history of water lilies to explore the varieties specific to her environment, Pasadena, California. Noémie’s development of Hanson’s open-impressionist style brings a fresh perspective to water lily symbolism in Canadian art.
Erin Hanson, Lilies on Blue, 2020
Depictions of Canadian natural landscapes have been dominated by rugged, masculine beauty for much of the 20th and 21st century (see the Group of Seven.) Noémie has made a bold artistic choice to foreground the often overlooked vibrancy of Canadian landscapes in her paintings. She takes risks in her art that are reflective of her experiences as a woman creating contemporary pieces that break the long history of male exclusivity and aesthetics in painting. Her pieces White Water Lily and Lily Pad Dance showcase water lilies as symbols of beauty, regeneration, and renewal, often using bold, vibrant colors and textures that pop off the canvas as if they were painted only moments ago.
White Water Lily Mini 4 (12”x12”), 2024 [Purchase]
Noémie’s unique approach to water lily symbolism in her artwork reveals a dynamic, reflective environment—one that is constantly regenerating, just like the water lily itself. Her use of color and line captures the euphoria of witnessing a water lily in bloom, mirroring the way these flowers evoke a sense of joy and connection to nature.
Noémie L. Côté, Lily Pad Dance 2 (36” x 48”), 2024 [Purchase]
To catch a glimpse of a water lily, whether by a quiet lake in the summer or hidden among the trees on a peaceful hike, is to experience a moment of pure beauty and reflection. In the Outaouais region, where Noémie lives and creates, water lilies are a quintessential symbol of summer—a reminder of nature’s ability to heal and renew.
Photo credit: Noémie L. Côté Lac Mulvihill, Gatineau Park, Quebec
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