Hi there Granny Mae.
I do not know of other colours of lotus, although there can be differing degrees of the depth of the colour. Although there may be others, I have not seen any.
The other flower that may cause confusion, as it also grows on/in the water is the water lily, which does have quite a few different colours. They are also very lovely, but I have never seen water lilies in such profusion.
Much of the lotus is utilized in Zhaoqing. The seeds are eaten as a snack, and are actually quite tasty. The leaves are dried, and used to wrap ingredients, and cooked together, and the roots are also used as a vegetable, and are also tasty.
But the best thing about them, for me, is their sheer beauty. In Zhaoqing culture, they are seen to represent elegance.
Chinalin, Zhaoqing, Guangdong.
