The Significance of Easter Lilies
Do you ever wonder why certain flowers become associated with specific holidays? An article in this Saturday’s Edmonton Sun explored the significances of Easter Lilies and other springtime flowers.
Early springtime sunshine often brings with it the glorious fragrance and beauty of nature blossoming upon the world. For centuries, we have associated certain types of flowers with specific meanings and values. We often use flowers as a way to express a particular sentiment of emotion. Easter Lilies and other spring flowers carry with them a significant meaning. Most often, the meaning associated with each flower is embedded in the history, legends, and characteristic qualities of the particular bloom.
Easter lily
The magnificent white lily known as the Easter Lily has long stood as a symbol of purity, hope, innocence and peace. Also called the Bermuda lily, the Trumpet lily, and Jacob’s Tears, the Easter lily is a biblical flower commonly associated with the resurrection of Christ.
In Christian tradition, the Easter lily signifies rebirth and a new beginning. It is said that beautiful white lilies sprang up in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus wept in the last hours before he was betrayed by Judas. Another legend claims that the white lilies grew from the repentant tears shed by Eve upon her departure from Paradise.
The lily is mentioned frequently throughout the bible and serves today as a beautiful reminder of the significance of the Easter season. Easter lilies grace homes and churches each spring as a symbol of purity, joy, hope and life.
Read more: The Significance of Easter lilies and other blooms | Edmonton Sun.
More About Lilies
Common names: lily, Asiatic lily, Oriental lily
Description: Trumpet-shaped flowers grow to a 6-inch diameter. Stems grow to 3 feet long, carrying four to eight blossoms. Sparse foliage is dark green. Because blooms open at various times, most lilies live one to two weeks. Colors include white, yellow, pink, red and orange; many have a deeper color (freckles) on the inner petal.
Special care: To prevent pollen from staining petals or clothing, remove stamens.
Attention Cat Lovers: According to the ASPCA, lilies are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result. The Society of American Florists recommends keeping lilies out of the reach of cats. It is important to note that lilies do not pose a problem for other pets or humans.
From AboutFlowers.com
