Antique silver-plated lotus beads, faceted blue glass rondelles, blue/clear focal bead, Swarovski crystals, seed beads, silver dragonfly, blue tassel

“Oh! put your faith in the Almighty, for He faileth not and His goodness endureth forever! His Sun giveth Light continually, and the Clouds of His Mercy are full of the Waters of Compassion with which He waters the hearts of all who trust in Him. His refreshing Breeze ever carries healing in its wings to the parched souls of men!” —‘Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks

The lotus flower has deep spiritual meaning in many religions. A Hindu friend told me the blue lotus is a symbol of eternity and represents the entire universe. In Buddhism, the essence of the lotus is purity of wisdom. The architectural design of the Baha’i Lotus Temple in India honors these faith traditions in its stunning beauty and simplicity. Surrounded by reflecting pools, the temple resembles a lotus floating on water, thus creating the feeling  of walking in a garden of wisdom.  In these prayer beads, each blue rondelle is reminiscent of the water from which the lotus emerges; the blue focal bead a symbol of the reflecting pools outside the Lotus Temple in India.