The name “lily” comes from the Old English “lilie,” from the Latin “lilium” and the Greek “leirion.” Lily is also a popular name for girls. Whenever I see a Lily flower, I hear, “Lily, don’t be silly,”. It is a famous one-liner by the actor and villain Ajit from the superhit Hindi film “Zanjeer”. Ajit Khan was known for his deep voice and unique dialogue delivery. Imagine a flower as beautiful as a Lily, a joyful symbol of beauty, hope, and life, being associated with a villain.

There are many mythological stories associated with Lilies in different countries. According to one story, Lily sprang from the milk of Hera, the mythological Queen of Heaven. Roman mythology associates the lily with Juno, the queen of the gods. It is said that while Juno was nursing her son, Hercules, some milk fell from the sky. Some of it formed the stars; the rest fell to Earth and turned into lilies. Another legend, found in biblical lore, attributes the lily’s creation to Eve’s tears. The tears shed after she and Adam were banished from the Garden of Eden. Egyptians believed the lily was sacred. The lily is also the national flower of Italy.

There are over 100 different species of lilies, as well as many more hybrids. This diversity results in a wide range of colours, shapes, and sizes. Lily symbolises purity and fertility. Different varieties of lilies hold different meanings, though. White lilies symbolise a rejuvenation of the soul and are hence chosen for both weddings and funerals. The pink ones represent love and femininity, and the red lily love and passion. Orange lilies symbolise positivity and warmth. Purple lilies represent elegance.

I love lilies because they last longer than most other flowers. They can last more than a week if you take care of them. Cut the stems at an angle, change the water regularly, and keep the vase out of direct sunlight or hot air. Lilies can then look beautiful for a long time.

Photos and text by Prerna Jain.