What Is a Compassion Symbol?

The lotus flower stands for compassion. This flower also stands for other positive traits, such as courage, peace, mindfulness and wisdom.

The red color of this flower is what works to symbolize compassion, because red stands for the heart and love. With time, the lotus flower unfolds and people believe that the heart has the same action. This symbolizes people blossoming into fuller versions of themselves through performing various acts of compassion. Greek philosophers first started to use the lotus flower in symbolism because it is a powerful spiritual symbol and it is mysterious. Others quickly adopted this flower, including Roman poets, Indian royalty, Egyptian priests and Zen masters.