Lily of the Valley

 

Perennials Puzzle Item #368



Hi Puzzlers,

The official flower of May is the Lily of the Valley.  This tiny fragrant flower, also known as the May lily, has captivated people for centuries.  There is so much legend and lore associated with this flower I just had to share with you.  But first let’s examine the flower.

The Lily of the Valley is an old-fashioned, shade-loving perennial with tiny delicate bell shaped flowers.  But don’t let that fool you, this flower is anything but delicate, it is a tough-as-nails perennial that keeps growing after many others fail, and it spreads quickly. It is also important to note that these tiny beauties are very poisonous. 

According to the Language of Flowers, the Lily of the Valley represents a return of happiness.  The May lily also serves as a symbol of love, purity of heart, modesty and kindness.  

The popularity of the Lily of the Valley as a wedding flower began during the Middle Ages and for some brides it is the fifth item to be carried along with something old, new, borrowed and blue.  Many brides including Kate Middleton designed their wedding bouquets by selecting flowers not only for their aesthetic appeal, but for their meaning. Click here for more on Princess Kate’s wedding bouquet and its meaning.

In ancient times the Lily of the Valley was planted by gardens to protect them from evil spirits and it was also used as an amulet against witches' spells.  Many considered the May lily to be the flower of the fairies and it was thought to give men the power to envision a better world.  In Europe, the Lily of the Valley was thought to bolster one’s visions of heaven and to bring a brighter future.  In Germany and Scandinavia this tiny flower is considered a symbol of good luck. 

The Lily of the Valley has a deep rich history with the Catholic faith and its mention can be found in the Bible 15 times.  The flower, also known as Our Lady's tears or Mary's tears, serves as symbol of the Virgin Mary tears during the crucifixion of Jesus and the tears of Eve after she was banished for the Garden of Eden.

King Charles IX is said to have received the Lily of the Valley as a gift of luck on May 1, 1561.  He was so taken with the gester that he continued the tradition of giving the Lily of the Valley to the ladies of his court each year on May 1st.  Today in France, any Lily of the Valley sold on May 1st can be sold tax free. 


So here’s to the Lily of the Valley and the return of happiness!

Happy Puzzling!