Nymphaeceae is a family of water plants which includes the water lilies, the sacred lotus and the spectacular Queen Victoria water lily. It is a family of 8 genera with 90 species found in fresh waters throughout the world. Where there are ponds, lakes and streams these plants are found. In Myanmar, with an abundance of ponds and lakes, there are many species of water lilies of all colors and sizes each with their own Myanmar names. These varieties can be found throughout the country and the ‘Kya’ (local reference name) is viewed as a referral to their beauty as they emerge from muddy depths to be ‘something to marvel at in full blossom’.

The Padon-ma Kya is held especially sacred in Myanmar culture and tradition. The Sacred Lotus is believed to bloom only in sunlight and the Kumudra Kya, a fabulous white lily, is said to bloom only with moonlight.

The Padon-ma Kya and the Gamod Kya are both much appreciated by poets and writers but the Padon-ma Kya is especially considered sacred. When younger people pay their respects to elders, the latter usually respond with blessings one of which goes: "May you be as fresh and dewy as the Padon-Kya."

The lotus motif is a decorative feature found on the architecture of Buddhist shrines and sacred depositories such as chedis (stupas). The upper part of a chedi just below the pinnacle consists of the diamond bud, the pennant-shaped vane. The umbrella (hti) is an elongated bulbous portion of the chedi known as the banana bud. Just below it is the Kya-yint that is a motif of large lotus petals encircling the chedi.

Next is the Kya-lan, which is the part of the chedi that resembles a spreading upturned lotus flower. Then the Kya-nu which is a motif of small lotus petals. And lastly is the Kya-Hmauk, which resembles an inverted lotus flower. These motifs add to the grace and beauty of chedis.

The lotus motif also decorates the pinnacles of tiered roofs of monasteries and palaces and there is also a vessel decorated with lotus petals for offering food and fruits at sacred Buddha shrines. The exotic lotus is a motif which also adorns the gold thrones which mount the Buddha images.

The Padon-ma Kya is a large bloom on a long thick thorny and fibrous stalk. The buds are like elongated bulbs that narrow at the tip. But when the petals open the flowers are fabulous. The color of the sacred lotus is a mix of whitish Pink and Red. And the White lotus, the Kumudra, is pristine and pure. The fibrous stalks yield strong threads which are used for weaving the sacred ornamental robe offered to Buddha images on the Full Moon Day of Tazaungmon (around November). The people of Inle Lake are most skilled in the spinning and weaving of the sacred lotus silk robe.

Burma's Biodiversity