Lily ofthe valley(Convallaria majalis ) is a fragrant inflorescence plant used in religious ceremonies , humanity solemnisation , perfumes and in garden . Also known as the May lily , it means " return to happiness " and most often symbolizes virtue , purity , felicity , luck and humbleness . Its meaning and symbolization are represented in Christian lore and folklore , on May Day , weddings and birthday , and in various celebrations throughout the world .
Christian Lore
In the Bible , lily of the vale is mentioned 15 time , most often in the Song of Solomon . Since the flower blooms so ahead of time in springtime , in Christianity it represent the Second Coming of Christ . It also symbolise Eve ’s tears shed after she was extradited from the garden of Eden , Jacob ’s tears for his weeping over Rachel and Joseph , and the Virgin Mary ’s tears , or our lady ’s tears , for the tears shed by Mary at the cross of Christ , tears believed to have turned into the flush .
Folklore
Lily of the valley is supposed to protect garden from evil spirits and is known to have been used as a magical spell against witches ' spells . It is also considered the flower of fairies , its tiny doorbell used as cups from which to drink . Some European nation believe lily of the valley instigate vision of heaven , aiding man to see a brighter future . In Germany and Scandinavia , the blossom is a spring symbol of good luck . In England , when St. Leonard of Sussex fought his monstrous great battle with a dragon during the 6th century , as a commemoration to his efforts , the flower are believed to have sprung from the background where his stock spilled . It is also believe that the flower is in honor of Maia , the daughter of the mythological Atlas . instead , some conceive the flower is bad luck and should only be used on graves , in honor of death .
World Celebration
On May 1 , 1561 , King Charles IX received lily of the vale as a gift of fortune and continued the custom every first of May by ease up the woman of his courtyard this fragrant flower . Today , every year in France , bunches of lily of the vale are sold on street . In some metropolis , on May Day , folks wear down a branchlet in their clothing . The flower is also a symbol used on International Worker ’s Day ( also known as May Day ) , or Labor Day as it is have a go at it in the United States . The Finnish girl ’s name Kielo imply lily of the vale . It is also Finland ’s national flower . The May 1 Pagan Festival of Beltane uses lily of the valley in its solemnization .
Birthdays and Weddings
Convallaria magalis means " that which belong to May , " making lily of the valley the recognized flower of the calendar month of May , and thus , May birthdays . It is also the prescribed flower of the zodiac sign Gemini . As a symbol of virtue , whiteness , modesty and happiness , lily of the valley has been a pop wedding flower since the Middle Ages . According to legend , its unattackable fragrance entice the Lady with the Lamp to regain his spouse . For some St. Bridget , the flower is the fifth item carried during a nuptials , along with something one-time , new , borrowed and blue . In Holland , the efflorescence is engraft in a newlywed twosome ’s garden as a symbol of the renewal of beloved .
Alternate Names
Other names for the lily of the valley are Mary ’s tear , May bells , Jacob ’s run , run to heaven , convall lily , May lily , lily stability , our ma’am ’s tears , muguet and genus Convallaria .
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