Honghu, Hubei province, saw sales of its lotus root surge recently as the Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 continues to make waves across the country and beyond.

In the movie, the immortal Taiyi Zhenren reshapes Ne Zha's body with lotus root powder. In ancient Chinese culture, lotus root is like the blood vessels of the body — flexible like a spring when stretched, but when broken it remains connected, making it the best choice for recreating the body.

In addition, lotus are a symbol of purity and nobility in China. One poem describes it as "emerging from the mud unstained, washing clean without being tainted", which matches Ne Zha's innocence and rebellious spirit.

"The growth cycle of lotus root is unique. During winter, the rhizomes quietly lie buried in the mud, appearing 'dead' but actually accumulating strength. When spring arrives, they will sprout new shoots, symbolizing the cycle of life and rebirth," said Yan Shoulei, a food science professor from Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan.

"The 'nine holes and seven openings' of lotus root correspond to the meridians of the human body, and the pure white lotus root grown in the mud symbolizes the integrity of a gentleman who remains unstained by the mud," he said.

He suggested soft and waxy lotus roots were used instead of crispy ones to reshape Ne Zha, as they feature a higher starch content.