Real Buddhist symbolism, and a striking character.

What a Japanese person actually thinks
Serene and slightly religious. Reads as considered rather than decorative, especially to anyone with a Buddhist background.

Meaning

Literally: lotus
Actually: The lotus — which roots in mud and flowers clean above it. Standard Buddhist symbol for rising out of suffering.

Scores

Naturalness●●●●●

Normal word.

Coolness●●●●●

Dense, well-balanced character with a grass radical on top. Genuinely handsome, and much less used than 桜.

Watch out

Nothing embarrassing lurking in here.

On skin

蓮

Orientation: either

Mincho or brush. The grass radical (艹) needs clean horizontals — check your artist can hold them.