荷花又名莲花、芙蓉，在佛教和中国传统文化中是纯洁的象征。在中国古代文学中，荷花也寓意着女子的高洁人格。《红楼梦》中晴雯死后托梦说自己变成了“芙蓉仙子”。
Lotus flower is an important symbol of pureness in Buddhism, and also traditional Chinese culture. In ancient Chinese literature, the lotus is often connected with women's noble and pure personality. In the Chinese classic The Dream of the Red Chamber, Qing Wen, an honest and upright maid of protagonist Jia Baoyu, becomes a lotus fairy after passing away.
荷花全身都是“宝”，既可被用来烹饪美食，也可入药。
Every part of a lotus is useful.It can be used for both cooking and medicine.
名肴“雪霞羹”，就是摘下新开的荷花去掉心蒂，放在沸水中一焯，再与嫩豆腐同煮。此时，锅中“红白交错,恍如雪霁之霞”，故得“雪霞羹”的美名。
予独爱莲之出淤泥而不染，濯清涟而不妖。
But my favorite is the lotus, which springs from the mud yet is spotless.Rinsed in pure water, it shows no frivolity.
——【宋】周敦颐《爱莲说》
