Blue lotus is a tropical water lily native to Northern and tropical Africa. Commonly known as the Egyptian blue water lily or sacred blue lily of the Nile, it holds significant cultural importance. The star-shaped flower symbolized the origins of life for the Ancient Egyptians, who believed the world was covered by darkness and water until the blue lotus bloomed to bring in light. It was thought that the sun gods Atum and Ra resided at its core when the first blue lotus bloomed, illuminating the earth. Depictions of the sacred blue lily of the Nile adorn Egyptian art and architecture. Its botanical name, Nymphaa caerulea, translates to blue water nymph, with the genus Nymphaea originating from the Greek word 'nymphaea' or water nymph, and the species 'caerulea' meaning blue.