I am always so pleased to see my Lily of the Valley flowers. They are so dainty.
Lily of the Valley
The flower is also known as Our Lady's tears since, according to Christian legend, the tears Mary shed at the cross turned to Lilies of the Valley. According to another legend, Lilies of the Valley also sprang from the blood of St. George during his battle with the dragon. Other names include May Lily, May Bells, Lily Constancy, Ladder-to-Heaven, Male Lily and Muguet.
Traditionally, Lily of the Valley is sold in the streets of France on May 1. Lily of the Valley became the national flower of Finland in 1982. The Norwegian municipality Lunner has a Lily of the Valley in its coat-of-arms. It is the official flower of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Kappa Sigma fraternity, Delta Omicron fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority, and Alpha Phi sorority.
The name "Lily of the Valley" is also used in some English translations of the Bible in Song of Songs 2:1, although whether the Hebrew word "shoshana" (usually denoting a rose) originally used there refers to this species or not is uncertain. The meaning of this flower is "You will find Happiness." (Wikipedia)
4 comments:
It's a big Lilly of the Valley day here in Belgium. Everybody offers little bouquets to their wives or girlfriends of whatsoever, all friends etc. The streets are full of Lilly of the Valley sellers you find them on all street corners ! It has become a big business. I have a few in my garden and they just bloomed for today. I could offer them to my friends.
Oh I love Lillies of the Valley! I never knew their history!!! I need to plant some on the North side of my house.
Thanks for the History! I never knew all that and I think it is fascinating!
I love these and I learned something new today. My favorite meaning is the tears of Mary.
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