God’s
being shown seated on a lotus signifies a superiority which rises above and
excludes all contact with the mud of the world.
It also points to the reign of the intellect in the heavens. For every feature of the lotus is circular,
from the outline of its leaves to the shape of its fruit, and circularity alone
is akin to the activity of the intellect as it invariably manifests itself in
identity, ruled by one order and one reason.
God himself is established in himself as being above power and activity
of this kind, august and holy in his transcendent simplicity, abiding within
himself – this is what his being seated on the lotus signifies.
Iamblichus
(Neoplatonist philosopher)
