Altar piece, one of an altar set of the Eight Buddhist Emblems (ba ji xiang). Depicts the Lotus Flower mounted on a lotus pedestal, constructed in two detachable parts. The lotus pedestal consists of a platform surrounded by multi-tiered overlapping lotus petals, raised on a tall stem embellished with four foliate scrolls, set atop a domed embellished base with sea waves, bands of cloud motifs and bosses, and a row of recurved petals at the bottom. The lotus symbolises mental purity, as it grows out of mud but is not defiled. It signifies the possibility of all beings attaining buddhahood. Carved wood covered with red lacquer and gold pigment.
