Basreliëf in de muur aan de zuidzijde van de Borobudur Possibly 1873 - 1879

Isidore Kinsbergen captured this Bas-relief on the south side of Borobudur temple in Java with photography. Notice the lotus motif—a symbol deeply woven into the fabric of Eastern spirituality. Here, it serves as a throne, a seat of enlightenment and purity. But its roots extend far beyond: we find echoes of this motif in ancient Egyptian art, where the lotus represents rebirth and regeneration. Observe how, across millennia, the lotus has adapted, its significance refined and layered with new cultural meanings. From its aquatic origins to its symbolic ascent, the lotus embodies the cyclical nature of existence. The arrangement evokes a sense of reverence and enlightenment, touching something primal within us. The lotus persists, blooming in diverse artistic landscapes, a testament to the enduring power of symbols to transcend time and place, constantly renewed by the human spirit.