The Lily: May's Birth Flower

Every month we are asking if you know about your birth flower, and this month we're talking about the Lily!

The idea that birth flowers, such as the lily, have meanings was introduced in the early 18th century by members of the literary community. So each month was assigned a flower, and it was thought that the characteristics of those would be inherited by those born in that month.

The birth flower for May

The lily is part of the plant family Liliaceae. Which is a group of flowering plants that grow from bulbs. And as perennials they return year after year once planted.

You can find lilies across the globe and they have thousands of variations. Hybrids have been cultivated to create the perfect blooms that you can cut for displays and bouquets. They are grown in gardens across the UK for just that purpose! With their long sturdy stems and large flowers they make for an impressive addition to any vase.

Despite lilies coming in a whole range of colours, from yellow, to pink, to purple...white lilies are the most commonly used flower at funerals. They symbolically signify that the soul of the deceased has been restored to the state of innocence. This makes them the ideal flower choice for you to use for remembrance and reflection.

And there is great advice on how to grow and care for your own lilies from The Almanac here!

The symbolism of the lily

Have you heard of the fleur de lis? Of course you have! It's the most recognisable symbol in a traditional coat of arms. And it is literally derived from the lily flower. Of course, fleur, meaning flower, and lis, meaning lily!

The fleur-de-lis is mostly associated with French royalty. And it has been widely used by most European nations within their heraldry. They feature prominently in the crown jewels of the United Kingdom, and are used on traditional currency. Including ancient minted coins from Romania, dating back to the 14th century.

The lily in popular culture

The lily, like many flowers, has lent its name to a popular girls name. For example, Lily, or Lillian, is derived directly from the Latin for the flower Lillium.

Not only that, but the Lily has also been the name of several Hollywood films, poems, and musical compositions. There have even been a number of Royal Navy ships christened HMS Lily.

Attributes associated with the lily:

Beauty

Serenity

Happiness

But William Blake surely honoured the Lily best in his poem:

The modest rose puts forth a thorn;
The humble sheep a threatening horn.
While the Lilly white, shall in Love delight;
Nor a thorn or a threat stain her beauty bright.

And if you want to know even more about the Birth Flower for May, or indeed any month, the LolaFlora blog has a huge amount of information and interesting facts!