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Easter Lily Meaning And Mystery

By Aurelia M. Fleur
Feb 20, 2008
On Easter you can decorate eggs, make gift baskets, eat delicious chocolate bunnies, do things with your local church of your choice, go to a wonderful family parade and the Easter Lily. The Easter lily symbolizes purity hope and life. Easter Lilies are mostly given with other Easter gifts.

Louis Houghton, who fought in World War 1, introduced the Bermuda lily (or Easter lily) to this country. At the end of the war, he carried a valise filled with these bulbs to Oregon's south coast, giving them to relatives and acquaintances for planting here.

The lily, from Ryukyu Islands of Japan, adapted well to the climate. By 1945, west coast growers producing the bulbs numbered over one thousand. In the commercial market, Easter lilies rank only behind poinsettias, mums, and azaleas as the largest potted plant in the United States, even though they are only sold two weeks out of the year.

The elegantly beautiful and majestic white lily has been a popular subject in history, mythology, and art. In the Bible, the lily is referred to in the Sermon on the Mount when Christ said, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin and yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of those."

Lilies are often called the "White-Robed Apostles of Hope". Lilies were discovered in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ died on the cross. During the Easter season, churches line their altars and envelop their crosses with a multitude of Easter Lilies, to signify the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life.

The pure white lily has long been a symbol of womanhood, especially in early works of art. In many early paintings, the angel Gabriel is seen presenting a branch of lilies to the Virgin Mary when informing her that she is to be the mother of the Christ child. In other paintings, saints bring vases of white lilies to Mary and Jesus. It is traditionally believed that when Eve was cast out of the Garden of Eden, she cried tears of repentance from which sprung pure white lilies: true repentance is the first step towards beauty.

Established through the centuries as a symbol of purity, grace, and the regal lifestyle, the white lily is a suitable reminder of the greater meaning of Easter. These flowers grace millions of homes and churches every year, embodying joy, hope, and life; whether given as a gift or displayed proudly in one's home, the Easter lily remains a beauteous reminder of how Easter is a time for celebration and rejoicing. So when you purchase Easter baskets for your loved ones, don't hold back with decorated eggs and chocolates, but be certain to include a few Eastern lilies as well!
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