What does lily mean?
A comprehensive explanation of what lilies represent in terms of green plants and flowers will be provided for you. Continue reading!
Lilies have a long history and rich symbolic significance in China's traditional culture. As an elegant flower, lily is not only loved for its beautiful appearance, but also widely used in different occasions because of its profound cultural connotation.
1. The symbolic meaning of the surface layer of the lily 1. The perfect combination of purity and nobleness. Lily petals are pure and flawless, elegant and generous in shape, and are often regarded as the embodiment of purity. This purity is not only reflected in its appearance, but also in its growth habits-lily can maintain its purity characteristics in harsh environments. Under the influence of Western culture, lily gradually became the symbol of the Virgin Mary, further strengthening its image of sacred purity. 2. In traditional China wedding customs,"lily" homophones "for" a hundred years of good marriage,"making it the first choice for wedding decorations and brides to hold flowers. This symbolic meaning comes from ancient people's expectation for a happy marriage. Through the image of lilies, it expresses the blessing for the newlywed couple to have long-term love and grow old together. Putting lilies in wedding rooms has become one of the traditional wedding customs in China. 3. The secular symbol of wealth and honor During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, lily became a decorative flower for court aristocrats to show their identity because of its auspicious meaning of "everything you want." Especially in porcelain and fabric patterns, lily patterns appear frequently, symbolizing the social status of the owner. In modern home decoration, the use of lily patterns continues this traditional meaning. 2. The deep cultural connotation of lilies 1. Sacred role in religious culture In Christian art, lilies often appear in religious scenes such as the annunciation, representing the purity of the Virgin Mary. Buddhist culture connects lily and Bodhisattva images, symbolizing a spiritual realm that transcends the secular world. This cross-religious sacred symbol gives lily special spiritual significance around the world. 2. The spiritual sustenance of literati and elegant literati Ancient literati in China often wrote poems with lily as the theme, comparing them to gentlemen with noble and pure conduct. Lu You, a poet in the Song Dynasty, once said that "lilies bloom and grow long in summer", using lilies to express his yearning for noble and clean character. In literati paintings, lilies often appear in combination with plants such as orchid and bamboo, forming a typical image of the "Four Gentlemen". 3. In folk art, the carrier of folk auspicious culture, lily is often combined with persimmon patterns to form "Pepsi Ruyi", and combined with Ganoderma lucidum to form "Bailinghe." These patterns are common in folk art such as paper-cuts and New Year paintings, reflecting ordinary people's simple wishes for a better life. The lily decoration in traditional China weddings is a vivid manifestation of this cultural phenomenon. 3. The symbolic application of lily in modern society 1. The preferred variety of ceremonial flowers. In modern business interactions, lily bouquets are often used as high-end gifts to convey honor and sincerity. Especially in East Asian countries such as China, Japan and South Korea, white lily is regarded as the most suitable gift flower for formal occasions. Surveys show that the selection rate of lily among business gifts is as high as 43%, ranking among the top of ceremonial flowers. 2. An important medium for emotional expression, different colors of lilies have differentiated emotional expressions: -White lily: often used to express sincere blessings and reverence-Pink lily: suitable for conveying gentle and romantic emotions-Yellow lily: traditionally expressed gratitude and friendship Flower delivery data shows that during Mother's Day, lily delivery increased by 35% year-on-year, becoming a popular choice to express filial piety. 3. The source of inspiration for cultural and artistic creation In contemporary film and television works, lilies are often used to symbolize pure love or sacred scenes. In the "Harry Potter" series, Lily Potter's name Lily is the English word for lily, implying its pure character. Fashion designers often draw inspiration from lily shapes and incorporate their curves into clothing tailoring. 4. Practical knowledge of lily planting and appreciation 1. Key points of cultivation techniques Lily is suitable for growing in loose and fertile slightly acidic soil. It is necessary to maintain sufficient light but avoid direct light. Professional flower farmers recommend that the planting depth should be 2-3 times the height of the bulb, and spring and autumn are the best planting seasons. It is worth noting that lilies are sensitive to ethylene and should be stored away from mature fruits. 2. Variety selection guidelines Common ornamental varieties include: -Asian lily: rich in colors and suitable for beginners-Oriental lily: rich in aroma and large flowers- LA hybrid lily: combines the advantages of the first two consumers can choose according to the planting environment and personal preferences, among which varieties such as 'Sorbon' and 'Siberian' are the most popular in the domestic market. 3. Applied skills in flower arrangement art In floral design, lilies are often used as the focus flower material, and their straight flower stems can build the basic skeleton of the work. Professional flower arrangers suggest removing lily stamens to extend the flowering period, and pairing them with baby stars or lover grass to enhance the overall effect. Experiments have shown that adding a small amount of white sugar to nutrient solution can extend the life of lily vase to 10-14 days. Conclusion: As a cultural symbol, lily's symbolic significance continues to enrich with the development of the times. From the ancient auspicious meaning to modern aesthetic expression, lily has always maintained its special position in flower culture. Understanding the multiple symbols of lily helps us appreciate the value of this beautiful flower more deeply, and also allows us to use the symbolic language of lily more appropriately on various occasions. Whether it is used as a garden ornamental plant, ceremonial gift or artistic creation element, lily can meet different needs with its unique cultural connotation.
What do the lilies brought above mean? For everyone's reference and operation.