The Easter season will for most of us bring back memories of decorating eggs, making up baskets of gifts, eating chocolate bunnies, going to church, attending family events and parades and the Easter lily. The beautiful trumpet like petals of the flower are symbols of purity, hope, and life. With these flowers comes the promise of spring. Adding Easter lilies to an Easter gift is always a perfect idea.
The Easter Lily was originally bought into the United States by a World War I soldier Louis Houghton. What was previously known as the Bermuda lily was first brought to the southern coast of Oregon in 1919. Houghton distributed an entire suitcase of the hybrid lily bulbs to various friends and family.
More than a thousand growers on the west coast are now growing Easter Lilies since it was found that the climate was great for them. These lilies are originally from the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. Even though these lilies are only sold about two weeks out of the year they are the fourth most popular potted plant in the United States. The other top three are Mums, Poinsettias and Azaleas.
The elegantly beautiful and majestic white lily has been a popular subject in history, mythology, and art. In the Bible, the lily is referred to in the Sermon on the Mount when Christ said, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin and yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of those."
Lilies have come to be called the "White-Robed Apostles of Hope". It is said that they were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after the crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. During the Easter season, churches display a profusion of lilies in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus, His resurrection, and His promise of everlasting life through His blood.
The pure white lily has long been a symbol of womanhood, especially in early works of art. In many early paintings, the angel Gabriel is seen presenting a branch of lilies to the Virgin Mary when informing her that she is to be the mother of the Christ child. In other paintings, saints bring vases of white lilies to Mary and Jesus. It is traditionally believed that when Eve was cast out of the Garden of Eden, she cried tears of repentance from which sprung pure white lilies: true repentance is the first step towards beauty.
It's no wonder that the graceful white lily has become a symbol for the real meaning of Easter. Millions of churches and homes will feel the hope, joy, and new life which bouquets of the regal flowers can provide. No matter if you decide to buy Easter lilies as a gift or for personal enjoyment, they will provide the insurmountable joy of the Easter season. They are a living sign that it is a time for us to celebrate and rejoice. When you go out to buy chocolate bunnies, peeps, and jelly beans this year, add some Easter lilies to your list.
Article Source: http://www.articlenorth.com
To learn more on the Easter Lily meaning, visit Aurelia's original article. Here's a quick link if you are interested in ordering an Easter Lily for those you care about on the holy day
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