The History of Lilies

One of the earliest records of lilies appears in a painting that dates back to Minoan Crete. The ancient Greeks believed lilies sprouted from the milk of the goddess Hera and the Romans believed that Venus envied the flower’s beauty. The ancient Egyptians were also aware of lilies and used them in funeral ceremonies. Lilies were later adopted into Christianity and are still closely associated with both Easter and the Virgin Mary (this is part of why lilies often represent purity). Additionally, lilies have long symbolized good luck and lasting love in Chinese culture. In some areas of the world, lilies have even been used for medicinal purposes. Lilies are often associated with modern funerals, are the designated birth flower for May babies, and serve as the flower traditionally associated with 30th wedding anniversaries. Different colors of lilies often represent different things, for example, orange lilies are associated with passion. There are over 100 different types of lilies in the Lilium genus and each one has its own symbolic significance. Interestingly, most varieties of lilies are native to the northern hemisphere. Today, lilies rank among the most popular flowers in the world and are important to many different cultures around the globe.