Lilium is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large prominent flowers. Most species are native to the temperate northern hemisphere. Eight species grow in Georgia, most of which are endemic to the Caucasus (Lat. Lilium caucasicum, Lilium Georgicum, Lilium Kesselringianum, etc.). They are used in gardens and parks for decorative purposes. They have large white, yellow or orange flowers, tiled on the bulb. They grow in meadows, woodlands, subalpine meadows, in high grasslands. Many ornamental varieties of Liliums are bred. In the first year of vegetation, the plant usually does not flower, but makes a small bulb in the ground, the size of which gradually increases in the following years. Only when a certain amount of stock is reached in the bulb, the plant does begin to flower and then bloom every year.
The roots and bulb of the Lilium were used for medicinal purposes, its tincture was used for diseases of the abdomen, fevers, as well as for burns and wounds, the tincture was also given to women in labour.
Different species and colours have different symbolic meanings, Lilies commonly grow in white, yellow, pink, red and orange.
White lilies symbolize purity and virtue.
Pink lilies symbolize prosperity and abundance.
Red lilies symbolize love and passion.
Orange lilies symbolize pride and wealth, it gives confidence and energy , full positivity and warmth, orange lilies are the perfect flowers to send when you want to say well done on a new job, new home or personal achievement.
Yellow lilies symbolize thankfulness, joy, friendship and desire for enjoyment. Yellow lilies make great ‘thank you’ flowers, their sunny colour awakens feelings of happiness and smile.
According to Greek mythology, the lily is considered a symbol of motherhood and rebirth, as it was believed that this flower originated from the milk of Zeus’ wife – Hera. According to the myth, Zeus wanted Hera to feed the baby Heracles with her milk, but since Heracles was born from another woman, Hera did not agree to this, at which point her milk drops spilled on the ground and they turned into lilies. The Greeks also considered it a symbol of sexuality.
According to Roman legend, when the love goddess Venus was born from the foam of the sea and saw a lily, she envied the beauty of the flower and gave it an extra elongated bud in the middle, in the hope that the flower would become less attractive. Thus for the Romans it was considered a symbol of love and passion, which Venus itself symbolized.
Assyrians and Babylonians also associated lilies with the goddess of fertility, Ishtar.
In the Christian religion, the lily is associated with the Virgin Mary – the white lily is called the flower of Mary and is often depicted in art as its symbol.
Lily is also a biblical term, found in the “Old Testament”, especially often in King Solomon’s “Praise”. In the reign of King David, a musical instrument in the shape of this flower was made, which the Jews called “lily”.
Jesus Christ also was talking about this flower: “See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Bible Gateway Matthew 6: 28-29)
William Blake, an influential Romantic poet, wrote a poem entitled “The Lily” that encompasses its sweet and innocent beauty.
Fleur-de-Lis, a portrayal of a three-petal lily in France, represents prosperity and royalty.
