Lotus

This is what some random website says: "The Lotus flower is held sacred in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Egyptian religions... Lotus is a symbol of purity and ressurection."

"...save me from myself again/Wash away my ugly sins, opposing thumb, dorsal fin/That monkey died for my grin."

These lines obviously have a reference to religion. That monkey = Jesus, Opposing thumb, Dorsal fin = what comes to mind is evolution, but I think the symbology goes further than that.

"Storefront window, I reflect" The image storefront seems to be used that religions showcase what they have to offer.

I can't say that I'm accurate, but I think I'm on the right track... most of it I'm not sure what they're trying to say.

Post if you've got some ideas.

to me this song has always ment something interviening in your life (especially someone) then falling into depression, only to be helped up again and taking it in your stride (let is rain rain rain, bring my happy back again). "eating the lotus" symbolizes never wanting to leave (odyseiuss) that happy place you return to. i know im probably completely wrong but thats just what i have always thought. love this song so much

I heard a story that if you eat a lotus, you forget everything that has ever happened to you up to that point in your life. But please correct me if I'm wrong!!

Ps- Is the Lotus a mythical flower?

In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus lands on the Island of the Lotus-eaters. On this island is the Lotus Flower. If you eat it, you never want to leave.

As for the rest of the song, I have no clue. It rocks though.

Michael Stipe is easily one of the greatest songwriters of all time. And this song is one of the best examples of his songwriting.

Dig the organ line!......that's it really

This is one of my favorite rocker songs from r.e.m. I'm completely clueless on meaning, and totally content to enjoy it that way.

I think my dad said something like this song is about him appearing on a show, and he was accused of being sacreligious, so he wrote this in response. I had always thought it was about being heretical because the lotus is a religious symbol, and he is eating it. Does the TV show theory have any merit? Or did i just totally make that up ha ha...

I really, really love this one Reminds me of old times

according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaea_caerulea:

Recent studies have shown Nympaea caerulea to have psychedelic properties, and may have been used as a sacrament in ancient Egypt and certain ancient South American cultures. Dosages of 5 to 10 grams of the flowers induces slight stimulation, a shift in thought processes, and mild closed-eye visuals. Nymphaea caerulea is very often confused with Nelumbo nucifera, the blue lotus, which contains the alkaloid nuciferine, which has sedative and muscle-relaxing properties. The active principal alkaloid in Nympaea caerulea is currently unknown.[citation needed]

These psychoactive effects make Nymphaea caerulea a likely candidate (among several) for the lotus plant eaten by the mythical Lotophagi in Homer's Odyssey and in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's (fl. 1850) poem, The Lotos-Eaters.

The flowers are rumored to contain aporphine, an entheogen that is purported to have divinatory properties, and nuciferine, an antispasmodic, but the Egyptian species have never been scientifically tested for these compounds.[citation needed]

Used in aromatherapy, Nymphaea caerulea is purported to have a "divine" essence, bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility.[citation needed]

Other sources cite anti-spasmodic and sedative, purifying and calming properties.