Lily flower history and facts

Lilies are some of the most popular flowers to send. They are often part of various arrangements and are even used in bridal bouquets. Lilies are relatively large flowers and have a way of stealing the show, so to speak. It is precisely for this reason that they are often selected as focal flowers. There are several lily flower varieties to choose from, and like many other blooms, there are a few myths and stories associated with the lily. By knowing and understanding the history and stories behind these fragrant flowers, you’ll know exactly when to include them in your next flower order.

Greek mythology

You may have heard at least one of the Greek myths or legends. There are quite a few and you can’t help but get the feeling that the Greeks were true storytellers and had a story for everything. The Greeks even had a story to tell about how lilies came to be! They believed that the lily flower was a kind of dedication to the wife of Zeus, Hera. Zeus was believed to have conceived a son with a mortal, Alceme, and gave him the name Hercules. Zeus wanted Hercules to experience the world of the gods, so he drugged his wife. While she was drugged, she brought baby Hercules to be nursed by Hera. When she woke up from this state, she threw it away from her. Some of the milk was sprayed into the sky to form the Milky Way. More drops fell to the ground, and lilies grew where they fell.

Roman myth

The Romans believed that coming out of the ocean, the goddess Venus saw a lily flower and saw how beautiful it was. She was overwhelmed with jealousy, so she decided to give the flower a huge pistil. This hideous yellow bump was found in the middle of the perfectly white flower in an attempt to make it look less attractive.

Religious symbolism

Lilies are also important for Christians and Jews. The lily flower is mentioned in the Old and New Testaments and is seen by believers as a symbol of purity and virtue. That’s why it is commonly associated with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ. He is also associated with various saints. Lilies are said to represent fertility and abundance. This has led to it being commonly associated with Saint Anthony of Padua, protector of marriage and patron of procreation. This is another reason lilies are often used at weddings. However, they are also associated with death and are often placed on children’s graves due to their innocent nature. This association may cause some brides to shy away from choosing them as wedding flowers.

Because there are so many different stories associated with the lily flower, it’s important to understand the recipient’s beliefs if you want to send a bouquet. If you know they think of death every time they see a lily, you should send flowers of a different variety.