What does the Greek word "lotos" mean?

Answer 1

The Multifaceted Meaning of the Greek "Lotos"

The ancient Greek word "lotos" (λωτός) does not refer to a single, identifiable plant but is a term applied to several different and botanically unrelated species. Its meaning is rich and varied, most famously associated with a mythical fruit that induced a state of blissful forgetfulness.

In its most prominent mythological context, the lotos is the fruit consumed by the Lotophagi, or Lotus-Eaters, as described in Homer's Odyssey. When Odysseus's men land on the island of the Lotus-Eaters, they are offered the fruit. Those who partake in it lose all desire to return home, content to remain in a state of languid apathy. This narrative has cemented the "lotos" in Western culture as a symbol of escapism and the temptation of peaceful oblivion.

Beyond mythology, the term "lotos" was used by the ancient Greeks to describe a variety of real plants, including:

1. A type of clover or trefoil: A common fodder for horses.
2. The jujube tree (Ziziphus lotus): A thorny shrub native to the Mediterranean region that produces a small, date-like fruit. This is one of the leading candidates for the mythological lotos.
3. The Egyptian water lily (Nymphaea lotus): A sacred flower in ancient Egyptian culture, often depicted in their art and religious symbolism. Its association with the sun and creation likely influenced its significance.
4. The date palm: Another plant suggested as a possible identity for the mythological lotos.

The word "lotos" itself is thought to have entered Greek from a Semitic language, with a possible connection to the Hebrew word "lōt," meaning "myrrh." This etymological root, however, is not definitively established.

In essence, the Greek word "lotos" is a broad term with both mythological and botanical significance. While it is most famously known as the legendary fruit of forgetfulness, it also served as a practical name for a range of plants in the ancient world, from common clover to the revered water lily.

Answer 2

Lotos (λωτός) in ancient Greek is a word for several different kinds of plants, including clover, fenugreek, and a kind of water lily. But most famously, it's the name of a mythical plant in Homer's Odyssey. In Book 9 of the poem, Odysseus encounters the Lotus-eaters (Λωτοφάγοι), who live in blissful oblivion thanks to this plant and forget everything that has ever happened to them -- an alluring temptation for Odysseus and his weary men.