The Lotus leaves
should be selected to express the idea of the three Buddhist divisions of time
– Present, Past and Future. Past time is
represented by a partly decayed or worm-eaten leaf. Present time by a handsome open leaf – often
called the Mirror Leaf, on account of its resemblance in shape to that of a
Japanese mirror; and Future time by a curled leaf, not fully open.
Josiah Conder
