Final answer:
The five towers of Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple are shaped like the buds of the sacred lotus water lily, which has profound cultural and religious significance in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions that influenced the construction of the temple.
Step-by-step explanation:
The five towers of Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple are shaped like the buds of the sacred lotus water lily. Angkor Wat, a vast temple complex, was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in accordance with Hindu cosmology, the temple design mirrors the sacred Mount Meru, with a central 65-meter-tall tower and is surrounded by vast reservoirs and a moat, representing the seven seas. The temples exhibit exquisite craftsmanship, depicting lives of gods and ordinary people in bas-reliefs and statues.
The transition from Hindu to Buddhist influences is seen in the Khmer Empire, where later constructions like the Bayon temple were infused with Buddhist symbolism, yet still retained elements such as the lotus pattern, a depiction of the cosmic mountain of Mt. Meru. Over time, the complex became more than just a religious site; it transformed into a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on the country's flag, stamps, and money and today attracts millions of tourists.
Although 'water lily' is a term that can refer to different flowering plants in the water, in the context of Angkor Wat and its symbolic ornamentation that has profound cultural and religious significance, the correct answer is a) Lotus.