The image of the lotus flower is important to Hanna. It is inextricably tied to her memories of Mama. Mama taught Hanna to sew on a small piece of muslin using a stitched lotus for Hanna to copy for practice. Hanna keeps this piece of muslin and brings it with her to LaForge. Hanna also recalls how Mama stitched a tiny lotus into each piece of sewing she completed in their old shop in Los Angeles, and Hanna intends to do the same when she is a dressmaker, symbolizing her appreciation for her mother’s instruction and her own step in maturity as a skilled worker. Despite her emotional turmoil as she completes the green dress for the shop opening, Hanna remembers to add the lotus to the collar before Papa reveals it to the opening crowd. Papa also thinks of the lotus as an important symbol of Mama’s memory and their family. In one of his few emotional allowances in the book, he surprises Hanna with the shop’s new sign, which includes the image of a lotus.

The lotus is a significant symbol in many cultures and geographic locations with a long history of significance in visual art. The lotus can represent purity, rebirth and resilience, enlightenment, and love, depending on the color of the petals.