I'm not sure this image has similarity in Asian art, but it was fun to do.
The Lotus represents an opening or emergence into enlightenment. It also a symbol of purity.
The first symbol represents a start or beginning and the second symbol represents deception or ignorance. Together, they symbolize cutting through what deceives you in the world on your journey to purity.
This image was taken last year in the Japanese Gardens in the Missouri Botanical Garden. I converted to black and white, then overlayed a sepia background. I then gave a very slight sepia tint to the flower and leaves, for color harmony. Surface smoothing to simulate art work appearance, along with some light opacity brush work. I cloned a few small leaf distractions.
I did the calligraphy by hand, just for the fun of it. I haven't read up on the chop yet...
Somewhere in the process, I lost the exif data, but can supply from the original if needed.
Comments welcome..............