“Daydreaming in a waterpool full of lotus, Emperor Qianlong reflected, “all around me are noble gentlemen.” 

~ Lou Qingxi

It is said that the lotus represents resilience in difficult situations, echoing how the plant thrives in sticky, muddy environments. Each part of the lotus (root, stem, receptacle, seed) follows various routes in the body and offers unique medicinal properties. Through the kidney path, lotus seeds stabilize and soothe fear. Traveling through the liver and lungs, lotus root balances emotions of anger and grief. In the large intestines, lotus leaves clear heat and allows us to let go. Through painting and herbalism, Noble Gentlemen honors paths of qi, blood, resilience and anguish that echo across our bodies and across time.