Monday, March 16, 2015

Easter Lilies, Some History From Grohe


Hi, I'm Julie Klingaman with Grohe Florist in Rohnert Park. For many of us, Easter evokes memories of egg decorating, gift baskets, chocolate bunnies, local church services, family gatherings, and the Easter lily. I began wondering how and why the Easter lily is associated with this holiday. I'm going to share with you what I found out about this beautiful trumpet-shaped fragrant blossom.

They symbolize purity, hope, and life, and the spiritual essence of Easter and all the promises of spring. Easter lilies are given along with Easter gifts, and they happen to be one of America's largest potted plant crops, and one of America's favorite blooming plants. The Easter lily is found in history, mythology and art, with stories and images that speak of the beauty and majesty of these elegant white flowers.

They're often called the white-robed apostles of hope. Lilies are said to have been found growing in the garden of Gethsemane after Christ's agony. At Easter time, churches bank their altars and surround their crosses with masses of Easter lilies to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and hope of life everlasting. The pure white lily has long been associated with womanhood too. In early paintings, the Angel Gabriel is depicted extending a branch of pure white lilies to the Virgin Mary announcing that she was chosen to be the mother of the Christ child. In other paintings, saints are pictured bringing vases full of white lilies to Mary and the baby Jesus. Tradition has it that when Eve left the garden of Eden, she shed real tears of repentance, and from those remorseful tears sprung up lilies.

The Easter lily has been a mark of purity and grace throughout the ages. The regal white lily is a fitting symbol of greater meaning of Easter. Gracing millions of homes and churches, the flowers embody joy, hope, and life. Whether given as a gift or to be enjoyed in your own home, the Easter lily serves as a beautiful reminder that Easter is a time for rejoicing and celebrating. So when you give Easter baskets to your family, don't stop with the decorated eggs and chocolate rabbits, include a few Easter lilies.

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