Exploring the Hidden Meanings of the Lily Flower -

Christmas may be over but that doesn’t mean the floral industry gets a break! By the time the end of January comes around, you’re gearing up for Valentine’s Day… And then Easter… And then Mother’s Day.

When guiding customers through the purchasing process, being able to include little details that normal people don’t think of. For instance, a flower may have a long-standing meaning. Occasionally, these flowers also have other meanings based on color. We’re not going down that road!

Ultimately, knowing the basics of flower meanings can be a great way to make a good impression on new customers and clients. Other than the rose, the second most important flower to remember the meaning of is the Lily. Some flowers have lily in the name but are a completely different species (i.e. water lilies, calla lilies, daylilies). True lilies are part of the genus Lillium¹.

The Symbolic Meaning of Lily: Where It All Began

Derived from the Greek word “leiron,” Lily was later translated into the Latin word “Lilium”². Lilies most commonly mean devotion or purity, though meaning can vary by type of lily variety and color.

Generally, the lily is associated with rebirth and motherhood. In Chinese culture, lilies are used in weddings due to the belief that they grant 100 years of love and good luck to the couple.

If broken down by color, the symbolism is more focused and direct. Lilies are typically grown in shades of orange, pink, red, white, and yellow.

Orange | confidence, pride, and wealth¹

Pink | prosperity, and abundance¹

Red | passion¹

White | purity and virtue¹

Yellow | thankfulness and desire for enjoyment¹

Think Outside The Box: How to Maximize Your use of Lilies

If you want to think outside the box for a personalized experience, remember these tidbits of information:

The lily is the 30th-anniversary flower
In 2021, the name Lily was one of the top 50 most popular girl names³.
Lilies are the birth flower for the month of May
When designing funeral florals, lilies have a special meaning. These flowers symbolize that the soul of the departed has received restored innocence after death².