Padmé

This name derives from the Sanskrit “padme,” meaning “lotus.” Padma, the sacred lotus, is an aquatic plant that plays a central role in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The lotus is an ancient polyvalent symbol in Asian culture. Hindus revere it with the Gods Vishnu, Brahma, and to a lesser degree Kubera, and the goddesses Lakshmi and Sarasvati. The lotus in both Egypt and India symbolizes the union of the four elements; earth, air, fire, and water. The roots are in the earth, it grows in and by means of water, its leaves are nourished by air, and it blooms through the power of the sun’s fire. Padmini in Sanskrit means “She who sits on the lotus,” so it refers to Hindu Goddess Lakshmi. Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of wealth, love, prosperity (both material and spiritual), fortune, and the embodiment of beauty. She is the wife of Vishnu. Oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ (Oh, the Jewel of the Lotus, Oh, my God within me) is the six-syllabled Sanskrit mantra. Mani means “jewel” or “bead” and Padma means “the lotus flower,” the Buddhist sacred flower.