Only a few flowers embody grace and the essence of timeless elegance as beautifully as lilies. Lilies have been celebrated for centuries for their pigmented colors and sweet, intoxicating smell. They have embedded their presence in the world of elegant flowers, as they are deeply related to art and literature.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the diverse varieties, rich symbolism, and timeless allure of Lilies, and essential tips for caring for and getting the vibrant and blooming lily. By the end, you will know why they are the most exquisite choice in the world of flowers, and you will also get to see how you can infuse their timeless essence into your life.
The Timeless Allure of Lilies.
For those who enjoy flowers worldwide, the lily, the elegant bloom, has held wonderful memories in their hearts. Their pigmented petals and captivating fragrances make them one of the best choices for seasonal gardens or bouquets. But what is so special about lilies?
In ancient Greek mythology, they symbolize purity, hope, and prosperity, while in Rome, they are symbolized as Venus, the goddess of love. Historically, it has been utilized in medical treatments and medicines, culinary applications, and ceremonies. They are the representation of love, purity, motherhood, and royalty in the history of mythology worldwide.
Lily Flower Meaning: What Do Lilies Symbolize?
The name Lily comes from the old Greek word Leirion and the Latin word Lilium. Each different variety of them has a different meaning in the Great ancient mythology all over the world, but the most common meaning is purity and rebirth.
The Universal Symbolism of Lilies
Lily has been typically viewed as the universal symbol of love, purity, and rejuvenation. They feature a spotless look and sweet, elegant smell, and this is a part of why they are considered the symbol of innocence and rebirth. Due to its universal symbolism, it has become a part of our celebrations and ceremonies.
Cultural and Religious Significance
In Christianity, Madonna Lily became a symbol of fertility and is associated with the Virgin Mother Mary, representing purity and rebirth. In Greek mythology, lily is said to be created from the milk of Hera, wife of Zeus, which brings good fortune and prosperity, making it a top choice in celebration and prosperity.
Color Meanings of Lilies
White lilies: They represent the divine power of purity and rejuvenation, so they are often chosen for the occasion of someone’s memorial or funeral.
Pink lilies: They are the representation of admiration, femininity, and prosperity. The pink, flawless petals make it a great choice to express appreciation and to celebrate milestones.
Orange lilies: They are the symbol of confidence, positivity, passion, and warmth. The bright, vibrant petals are the best choice for celebrating big achievements, a new job, a new house, or expressing bold emotions.
Yellow lilies: They radiate the symbols of gratitude and joy. The bright yellow flower represents thankfulness, and its sunny petals make it the greatest choice for putting a smile on the faces of your loved ones.
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Exploring the Different Types of Lilies
Before knowing about the popular lily varieties, let’s understand that not all attractive, similar-looking flowers are lilies. It is from the genus Lilium, and there are over 100 hybrids present in the family Liliaceae. The daylilies or peace lilies are from different families.
Popular Lily Varieties
Asiatic Lilies (Lilia asiatica): These are recognized for their early blooming, bold colors, colored foliage, and non-fragmented flowers. They are commonly available in orange, yellow, pink, red, and white.
Oriental Lilies (Lilia orientalis): They are well known for having large and fragrant flowers with an elegant shape. The elegant colored flower blooms in the late summer with many popular varieties, such as Stargazer or Casablanca.
Trumpet Lilies: They are known for their bold and tubular-shaped blooms with a touch of pleasant, robust fragrance and a full height of 4 to 6 feet, making a dramatic presentation to the garden.
Tiger Lilies (Lilium lancifolium): These are identified by their bold, vibrant orange color, resembling a pattern similar to a tiger’s coat. They are readily available in three colors: yellow, red, and orange.
Easter Lilies (Lilium longiflorum): These flowers are the symbol of spring and renewal. They are involved with holy ceremonies and are famous for the symbol of hope and purity, with a shape-like structure with an essence of sweetness.
How to Care for Lilies: Essential Lily Care Tips
Lilies are flowers that add beauty and elegance to any ceremony or a flower enthusiast’s garden. But without proper care from planting to watering, it fades away easily. Here, we’ll explore how to take care of it and some tips to avoid any mistakes.
Planting Lilies for Long-Lasting Blooms: These flowers crave well-draining soil, with a minimum of 5-6 hours of sunlight, and add a layer of mulch soil to it for the regulation of soil temperature.
Keeping Cut Lilies Fresh in a Vase: To keep them fresh and elegant, try to cut the stems at an angle of 45 degrees so there is a wide space for water absorption. The water should be lukewarm to prevent aging. The vase should be kept away from the ripening fruits as they release ethylene gas, which causes aging.
Common Lily Care Mistakes to Avoid
The common mistake every flower lover makes is that they over-love the blooming flowers by overwatering them, not maintaining proper drainage, keeping them from sunlight, and handling the pollen incorrectly. The pollen should always be removed along with the stamen when the flower starts to open.
Lilies in Floral Arrangements & Gifting
These elegant flowers are a great choice for floral arrangement & gifting, thanks to their sweet, elegant, subtle look. They are incredibly versatile with a wide range of variety and types.
For example, the classic combination of roses and lilies is perfect for romantic bouquets. Another combination of lilies and hydrangeas, which looks as beautiful as the large bloom of a hydrangea, but with its stem, makes it perfect for a wedding.
Lily is always a good choice for weddings and centerpieces. It is a symbol of unity and purity and is often used as a bride's bouquet. Orientals with their large petals and bold fragrance look elegant in a wedding, which makes it appear flawless. Due to their elegance and professionalism, they are good-looking for bouquets for office celebrations, new jobs, or promotions.
Fun Facts About Lilies You Didn’t Know
In the ancient Chinese tradition, lily bulbs are thought to have healing properties for respiratory diseases and heart problems, and help with insomnia. They also play a vital role in the world of fragrance, where the oil extracted from them is used in aromatherapy to relieve stress and mental health issues.
Lily is the most expensive when it comes to gifting. There are some rare and expensive lilies like Gloriosa lilies, usually sold in dozens and might cost you around USD100 or more. They are native to southern Africa and some Indian subcontinent and are also known as fire lily or glory lily. Another one is the Kadulpul flower, also known as the ‘flower of heaven’. The flower blooms only under the pure moonlight, which makes it impossible to sell.
Lilies had a diverse role in the history of mythology. In Greek mythology, the lily is said to be created from the milk of Hera, the wife of Zeus. In the Eastern tradition, these flowers with different varieties bring good fortune and prosperity, making it a top choice in celebration and prosperity.
Why Lilies Will Always Be a Floral Favorite
Lilies are widely famous for captivating people with their vibrant petals and early stunning blooms, and are available in a wide range of colors and types. From Asiatic to Oriental lilies, they are a great option in any celebration or ceremony. They are the symbol of love, purity, and rebirth, adding depth to their elegance.
If you didn’t know the story of Lily, now’s the time to get influenced by adding this elegance to your life. From nurturing them in your garden to placing them in a vase to decorate your space or including them in any celebration, flowers are always the best option, thanks to the variety of shades available in our stores. Pair them with other flowers and make your ceremonies breathtaking with the flower arrangements, and leave a lasting impression on your guests.
If you want to bring this elegant flower into your life, Fresh Sends brings you an extraordinary collection of floral arrangements to celebrate yourself and your loved ones.