Why launch a company in this economic climate?
What's with the logo?
These questions hold alot of power. Mudflower Clothing sprang into existence similar to the way a lotus flower rises...
The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the water’s surface continually moving towards the light. Once it comes to the surface of the water the lotus flower begins to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower.
Within Hinduism and Buddhism the lotus flower has become a symbol for awakening to the spiritual reality of life. The meaning varies slightly between the two religions, of course, but essentially both religious traditions place importance on the lotus flower.
In modern times the meaning of a lotus flower represents life in general. As the lotus flower grows up from the mud into an object of great beauty, people also grow and change into something more beautiful. So the symbol represents the struggle of life at its most basic form.
Lotus flower tattoos are also popular for people who have gone through a hard time and are now coming out of it. Like the flower they have been at the bottom in the muddy, dirty bottom of the pond but have risen above. They now display themselves an object of beauty for all of life to see. Thus, a lotus flower, or blossom, can also represent a hard time in life that has been overcome.
First, the tattoo. Now, seven years later, the experience of Mudflower Clothing! This company is a celebration of an idea, and how powerful they can be when backed with inspired action!
Initially, this symbol was merely that, a symbol. There was no meaning attached to it. As I've worn it on my forearm over the years, it has come to mean everything to me. The many circles within the design, the tribal sun and the lotus petals are all very different; yet woven together seamlessly to create a hybrid life mission statement. This is my mission statement.
The circles represent the reciprocity of life: what you give, you get. The sun represents each new day we are blessed with, a new opportunity to re-invent, re-commit, re-discover, re-create and dedicate yourself to something larger than life. Finally, the lotus petals: a flower that can come from nothing. Out of the mud into all of its splendor, the lotus continues to be my inspiration. We can give up and throw in the towel at any time, yet we are not unique in our suffering, we are only unique in what we do after the suffering. All of us have hurdles and setbacks to overcome in life. My challenge to you is simply this: inspire.
