Photo: hoangthaitanlap

There are about 85 species in the waterlily family. Waterlily fossils are caught in Japan which date back to 85 million years ago. Its brother and sister in blue are caught in ancient Egypt. Turning out, the flowers also symbolised immortality and were said to have been valued for their psychedelic properties during funeral rites.

Both lotus and waterlily come in a variety of colours, though the petals of waterlilies – pointier than those of the lotus – tend to feature more vivid shades of pink, purple and red that float just above their glossy, shield-shaped leaves. Wild waterlilies are generally white. The night bloomers are open at the same time as the day bloomers, which emit a plummy, soapy fragrance.

Photo: trithanhtanlong

The writer Jess McHugh of New York Times shared that over the years, the harvest ritual and the spectacle of the women paddling boats laden with waterlilies has become a popular photo op and a staple of guided tours, although the flowers themselves remain an intrinsic part of everyday life.

The blossoms serve to decorate homes throughout the country and are often seen floating in clay pots on doorsteps, while the stems are mainly used in fish soups and stir-fries, he added.