Lotos

Lotos is a term with multiple meanings, most commonly associated with the lotus flower and with a major Polish oil company formerly known as Grupa Lotos SA.

The lotus refers to the aquatic plants of the Nelumbo genus, especially Nelumbo nucifera (the sacred lotus) and Nelumbo lutea (the American lotus). These perennials grow in ponds and marshes, producing round, floating leaves on long stalks and large, showy flowers that can be pink, white, or pale. Lotus plants are known for their seeds, edible rhizomes, and distinctive seed pods. In many cultures, the lotus holds symbolic meaning related to purity, spiritual awakening, and rebirth, and it features prominently in religious and artistic contexts across Asia and parts of Africa and the Americas. They are often mistaken for water lilies, but they belong to a different family and have distinct biological traits.

Grupa Lotos SA was a Polish oil company based in Gdańsk, involved in refining, distribution, and retail of petroleum products. It operated a major refining and marketing network and was one of Poland’s largest energy companies. In 2022, Grupa Lotos was acquired by PKN Orlen and incorporated into the Orlen Group; the Lotos brand and assets have since been integrated into the broader corporate structure, with some retail operations continuing under the Lotos name in select markets as part of the transition.

Outside of these, Lotos can appear as a proper noun in other languages or contexts, sometimes simply meaning lotus.