Come June, Come Lily!
Lily symbolism
The lily is full of symbolism, with its main connotations being:
- Femininity. In Greek and Roman times brides were given a crown of lilies, in the hope for a pure and fertile life.
- Love. In Victorian times people knew when they received a sweet smelling lily that: ‘this is my lover’.
- Purity. White lilies were often used at weddings as a sign of virginity and purity.
- Transience. The serene and pure appearance of the lily expresses emotion in times of loss and grieving.
Origin
The lily originates from various places. In the wild they can be found in Korea, Japan and parts of Siberia but also closer to the equator in India. In Europe the lily is native to the Caucasus, the Balkans, Greece, Poland, the Alps and the Pyrenees. They can also be found in the wild in most American states with the exception of the south west quarter.
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| Photos © Flower Council of Holland. |
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| Photos © Flower Council of Holland. |
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| Photos © Flower Council of Holland. |
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| Photos © Flower Council of Holland. |
Article courtesy of the International Florist Organisation
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