Lily Flower Meaning - What Do Lilies Symbolize?

The lily flower holds a prominent position in mythology and religion, and it symbolizes purity, renewal, and divine connection. From Greek myth to religions like Christianity and Buddhism, Lily has symbolized multiple things. 

In Greek myth, Lily is linked to Hera (Queen of the gods). Per the legend, lilies sprouted from the milk of Hera as she nursed Heracles. This legend displays the flower's connection to maternal care and rebirth.

Similarly, the meaning of lilies denote purity of heart and spiritual enlightenment under Buddhism. They are often showcased in arts and used in rituals to denote spiritual awakening.

Christianity also holds a special connection with the Lily flower, especially the white flower. They symbolize the Virgin Mary’s purity, hope, and chastity. Moreover, Lily is also associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day.

There are multiple colors of Lily flowers in the world. They can be found in different regions, from North America to Asia. These captivating charmers convey multiple meanings depending on their vibrant colors.

Here are some of the common colors found and the lily flower meanings:

White 

Meaning of white lily is virtue, purity, modesty, and renewal. They are also heralded as symbols of commitment.

These flowers are majorly utilized in weddings for their representation of purity and commitment. Moreover, they are also associated with funerals to showcase the soul's restored innocence after death.

Orange

Meaning of flower lily for orange color is honesty, respect, and enthusiasm. Honor and excitement are also some of the things that orange lilies represent. 

Orange lily is usually associated with a job well done and the sense of pride that follows it. It is a great choice for expressing your confidence or encouragement.

Yellow

Yellow colors in lilies represent friendship, happiness, and gratitude. They are bright as sunlight and display cheerful support and thankfulness.

This color is ideal for celebrations of happy occasions. It also conveys positive energy and warmth.

Pink

These lilies symbolize love, admiration, and compassion. Pink flowers are great for showcasing your love for your partner. It is highly suitable for romantic moments and displaying heartfelt emotions.

This lily flower's color is also used to showcase a gesture of gratitude and appreciation to others. Gift them to your partner during your first date or even toy your mom during Mother's Day.

Red

Red lilies display fiery and passionate petals that represent strong desire and intense emotions for a romantic partner. They are great for showing your dedication to someone from your heart. 

Perfect for couples, this color can be used as an alternative to a red rose for showering your love on Valentine's Day.

Black

Black lilies are rare in nature and are generally dark shades of purple rather than true black. Black jewel is one of the Lily types you can purchase. It has the darkest shades out of other lilies.

These rare flowers display a sense of elegance and mystery when looking at them. You can feel a powerful aura with this flower.

Purple

Meaning of lilies for purple is pride, accomplishment, and success. They are often gifted to someone who has successfully conducted some activities.

For instance, if your colleague gets a job promotion, you can gift them purple lilies to reflect his success. These purple lilies also represent royalty which adds a touch of elegance and sophistication. 

Lily is one of the ancient flowers on earth and a widespread species across continents. They originated in the Northern Hemisphere millions of years ago.

Their evolution likely began in areas that are now modern-day China, Korea, and Japan, where a diverse range of species still flourish. From this region, they have also spread to other continents like Europe and North America. They have adapted to various climates and terrains. 

The cultivation of lilies is an old tale dating back to 1580 BC. There is an image of lilies in the ancient Minoan frescoes on Crete island. Ancient Greeks and Romans also admired lilies for their beauty and symbolism. Likewise, in Anatolia, people used to grow lilies for medical purposes. The bulb of the flower helped to produce ointments. 

The Netherlands is the largest producer of lilies in modern times. Aside from the Dutch, countries like the USA and France also produce these marvelous flowers.

Lily Hybrids

With the advancement of technologies and equipment in the 21st century, horticulture has also received advanced treatment with multiple hybridization studies and programs. Lily is also a flower that has been studied for years.

These hybrid lilies are made with the goal of more exotic blooms, lower maintenance, and increased hardiness. These hybrids are also divided into 9 divisions.

Here are some of the common lily hybrids found today:

• Asiatic Lily (Division 1) - This hybrid is inspired by a native Asian Lily. It is very easy to grow in your garden.
• Candidum hybrid lily (Division 3) - This lily hybrid covers most of the European varieties. White Madonna Lily is the most popular one in this category.
• Longiflorum hybrid (Division 5) - Longiflorum hybrid is a cross with Lilium longiflorum, also known as Easter Lily. This Easter Lily flower is primarily found in Japan and Taiwan.
• Aurelian Trumpet Lily (Division 6) - This is an unscented hybrid lily and can come in multiple colors.
• Oriental Lily (Divison 7) - The head of its flowers looks up and is fragrant. It is also known as Stargazer lily.

Lilies are known for their delightful flowers and charming appearance in your home garden. However, did you know that they offer medicinal uses as well? Some varieties provide traditional medicine and have been applied for centuries.

The bulbs and flowers of lily are known for having therapeutic properties. They were utilized in ancient Anatolia for making ointments. Lilies also contain expectorant and soothing qualities. Hence, they can be used to treat respiratory conditions like coughs, bronchitis, and sore throats. 

Their extracts can also be utilized in many situations. For instance, they may offer relief for burns, wounds, and ulcers with their anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants in lily can help to promote your daily skin care. Moreover, Lily can also help to promote the heart's overall health. Regulation of heart rate and artery stimulation are some examples. It may be good for mouthwashing and eye treatments.

True lilies are generally safe to eat, but some species can feature toxins. This can cause adverse effects in pets like cats and dogs. Hence, it is better to not grow Lily if you have curious cats and dogs in your home.

Lilies like Asiatic lilies and Tiger lilies are toxic to cats. If a cat ingests even small amounts, then it could lead to vomiting and kidney damage, which can ultimately lead to the cat's demise.

For dogs, lilies are less sensitive but they might experience gastrointestinal issues after consumption. Lilies are usually not toxic for humans, but some species can cause allergic reactions upon contact. Moreover, if you accidentally ingest a toxic species, you can suffer from mild symptoms like stomach problems as well.

There are about 80-100 species of Lily in the world, found under the Liliaceae family. These flowers produce exotic blooms with trumpet-style looks. With hybridization becoming popular today, many lilies require less maintenance compared to natural ones.  contain red petals and

Oriental, Martagon, and Asiatic hybrids are quite popular among gardeners. They are grown in homes and can be used for decorative purposes. Here are some of them:

• Casablanca - This oriental hybrid features milky white flowers that are bowl-shaped. They also have a heavy scent on them.
• Red Eye - These oriental lilies represent fiery passion as they contain red petals. They have a good scent and also have white edging on their flowers.
• Magic Star - These oriental hybrids feature two layers of ruffled petals. They don't have pollen as well.
• Red Power Lily - This is an Asian hybrid that contains red flowers.
• Black Charm Lily - Black Charm is another Asian hybrid that has upward-facing flowers with a deep blackberry shade.
• Vermeer Lily - These Asiatic hybrid flowers feature pastel-pink colors that turn white.
• Arabian Knight Lily - This is a Martagon hybrid that is known for its gold and mahogany flowers.
• Manitoba Morning Lily - This Martagon hybrid Lily has pink-red petals with a yellow center.

Some varieties of lily flowers are completely safe for eating. Their leaves, petals, and bulbs can all be consumed without any problems. They are utilized in many cuisines worldwide.

In Chinese cuisine, lily bulbs are known as "bai he" and are highly valued for their sweet and nutty flavor. They are utilized in stir-fries, soups, and desserts for their texture and nutritional benefits, like reducing anxiety. Meanwhile, Korean cuisine also uses dried lily flowers which they call "geum jul goot," in stews and soups, creating a unique flavor.

Southeast Asians also enjoy them in pickled or sauteed form. The Lily's petals can also be used as a salad ingredient, as it adds color and flavor. Likewise, they can also be used in teas. Lily flower teas can help to combat aging due to antioxidants. 

Caring for your Lily is an essential step to maintaining its growth and form. They generally require low maintenance, but they should still be monitored so that there are no future issues like pests, wilt, or root rot.

Before placing the lily on your vase, it is crucial to put them in lukewarm water so that they remain hydrated. Then you can cut the plant at a 45-degree angle while submerged. This helps to avoid the formation of air bubbles. To avoid rotting leaves, you should remove any flowers that lie below the water line. Fresh water is compulsory for the plant's growth. You can add lemon juice or sugar too.

Likewise, it is integral to put the lilies away from the sunlight. The water should also be changed every week to maintain its overall health. You should also trim the antlers when the lily opens since they could lead to staining problems. If you witness any dry pollens, then they can be brushed off.