Lilies
Just like roses and tulips, lilies have recently received great acclaim. Their breathtaking flowers and intense fragrance rank them among the queens of flowers. Thanks to their worldwide availability, they come in various colors, shapes, and sizes.
For what occasion are lilies suitable?
The use of lilies knows no bounds; they are suitable as a gift for mom in the form of bulbs for the garden or as an important floral decorative element for a wedding, symbolizing the bride's innocence, much like the white color of her dress. Lilies are also tied into funeral bouquets, as they can be a respectful way to say a dignified goodbye to loved ones.
You can give them for birthdays, on Valentine's Day, for International Women's Day, or just to brighten someone's day. Nowadays, lilies are most often associated with long-term marriages, where they express a couple’s true enduring love. Therefore, lilies are popular in anniversary bouquets. So if you’re still hesitating about which flower to choose for this occasion, lilies will certainly be a great choice.
If you are looking for a flower to brighten up your home, lilies will surely bring joy to you as well. Simply put, whether you give them to anyone for any occasion, lilies are sure to bring an unforgettable smile to their face for every occasion.
What to combine lilies with?
We asked our florists about their favorite combinations:
Martina from Arkády Pankrác, Prague: “I like to tie lilies alone or with some lighter greenery, such as eucalyptus or beargrass. In my opinion, they are striking on their own and once they bloom, other flowers can easily fade next to them.”
Katka from Metropole Zličín, Prague: “Lilies are suitable for any occasion. Personally, I associate them more with funeral arrangements. Besides funeral wreaths and sprayed bouquets, lilies are also a grand flower suitable for weddings, for example, cascading bouquets of white lilies, roses, complemented by ivy and gypsophila. One more tip: I cut out the stamens from the center of the flowers. This removes the irritating allergens but the intoxicating fragrance remains.”
Ludmila from Mercury, České Budějovice: “Lilies are exceptional not only for their appearance but also for their intense fragrance. I would recommend colorful ones combined with gerbera, lisianthus, delphinium, or limonium. Whites are beautiful in combination with other colorful flowers like spray roses, santini, or chrysanthemums.”
Lilies are featured in our elegant and luxurious bouquet Lily. Its centerpiece consists of three large royal lilies complemented by aster flowers, beargrass, and eucalyptus.
Where do lilies come from and what is their symbolic meaning?
As humanity, we still cannot answer the question of where lilies originally come from geographically. But we know that in Asia Minor, lilies were cultivated and bred as early as 2000 BC. Now they are found in the temperate and subtropical zones all over the world.
Lilies symbolize purity, peace, dignity, virginity, immortality, fertility, harvest, chastity, innocence, but also guilt or faith.
In Egypt, Greece, and Rome, lilies were a symbol of fertility, hope, and future. The oldest depictions of lilies are 3600 years old. They include a Minoan fresco in Knossos, depicting Ariadne's throne decorated with lilies. There is also a seal cylinder from the 3rd century BC, showing a Sumerian ruler holding flowers.
In Asian cultures, lilies were commonly consumed and valued primarily for their medicinal properties. The same was true in Europe, where they have retained more of their Christian symbolism to this day.
Christians also saw the dark side of purity and virtue in lilies. In France, the flower was branded on the shoulder of prostitutes or adulterous women as a sign of sin. In dream books, we read that “to see a lily” means platonic love. The white color even predicts that an innocent girl will be accused. “To pick a lily” means lost virginity. The flower is also associated with death.
Thanks to its beauty, the lily was popular with artists and used as a heraldic symbol by monarchs. The most famous of these is the heraldic symbol of the lily, the emblem of the French kings, which later spread to the flag of Quebec in Canada and the coat of arms of the Spanish kingdom. In the Czech Republic, it can be found, for example, on the coat of arms of Litomyšl.
Lilies change their meaning according to color, just like roses.
Although lilies themselves symbolize purity and exceptionality, like roses, their meaning changes according to color.
Red represents love and passion.
White symbolizes purity, virtue, freshness, and nobility.
Yellow symbolizes elegance, desire, eternity, and gratitude.
Pink represents prosperity, abundance, and wealth.
Orange represents enthusiasm.
Gold symbolizes rebirth and life.
Purple denotes death.
Lilies in Victorian floriography: How did people communicate using flowers?
White lily - I believe you are innocent.
Red lily - Do not crave wealth!
White lily - Modesty and innocence adorn you, it's wonderful to be with you.
Orange lily - Hatred.
Yellow lily - False beauty.
Gold lily - Passionate is my love for you.
Lilies can be used in other ways besides bouquets!
Due to their intense fragrance, lily flowers were used to fill pillows or to make oils. Nowadays, the flower is part of many perfumes.
Although not many, lilies also have medicinal properties. For burns, ulcers, or skin inflammations, lily oil, which has healing properties, is used. It also remains useful in the treatment of urological diseases, heart problems, or eye infections.
They are widely used in the cosmetic industry to combat dry skin. Lily extracts help soften the skin and contain many beneficial substances.
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