Easter Lily Meaning And Mystery
Aurelia M. Fleur
The Easter season will for most of us bring back memories of decorating eggs, making up baskets of gifts, eating chocolate bunnies, going to church, attending family events and parades and the Easter lily. The beautiful trumpet like petals of the flower are symbols of purity, hope, and life. With these flowers comes the promise of spring. Adding Easter lilies to an Easter gift is always a perfect idea.
Thanks need to be given to World War I soldier Louis Houghton for the overall popularity of the Bermuda lily. It is also known as the Easter lily. In 1919, Louis brought a suitcase of the lily bulbs to the southern coast of Oregon, distributing them to his friends and family to plant.
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.
These elegant white flowers are pictured and written about extensively in art, history, and mythology. A famous instance occurs in the Bible in the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus says," 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 these."
Lilies have come to be called the "White-Robed Apostles of Hope". It is said that they were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after the crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. During the Easter season, churches display a profusion of lilies in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus, His resurrection, and His promise of everlasting life through His blood.
Another concept associated with the pure white lily is that of womanhood. In some early paintings, the Angel Gabriel offers pure white lilies to the Virgin Mary, and this symbolizes that she will be the mother of Jesus. Other paintings show saints bringing vases of white lilies to Mary and the divine child. According to the legend, the flowers were formed when Eve cried repentant tears upon leaving Eden, and the tears became lilies. The point of this legend is that true repentance leads to beauty.
It's no wonder that the graceful white lily has become a symbol for the real meaning of Easter. Millions of churches and homes will feel the hope, joy, and new life which bouquets of the regal flowers can provide. No matter if you decide to buy Easter lilies as a gift or for personal enjoyment, they will provide the insurmountable joy of the Easter season. They are a living sign that it is a time for us to celebrate and rejoice. When you go out to buy chocolate bunnies, peeps, and jelly beans this year, add some Easter lilies to your list.
To learn more on the Easter Lily meaning, visit Aurelia's original article. Check out this great link if you are interested in ordering an http://www.order-flowers-delivery.com/easter-flowers.html Easter Gifts for those you care about on the holiday
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