Madonna lily
It enchants with its brilliant white and stood for paganism until the Middle Ages. Here we explain why this lily is now called Madonna lily.
The spicy scented Madonna lily (Lilium candidum) is one of the oldest cultivated ornamental plants: it was grown as long ago as the middle of the
third millennium BC. It is first mentioned in Egyptian texts dating from around 2500 BC. And illustrations of it are found on vases from
Santorini (1500 BC).
Assyrian reliefs from Nineveh also show this elegant lily, which was regarded as a symbol of purity, innocence, pride and gentility.
Christians associated it with paganism well into the Middle Ages, before finally succumbing to its beauty and adopting it as a symbol of purity and
innocence. Suddenly, saints and church fathers were often depicted with lilies as a symbol of their virtuousness.
And Christian legends describe how the Archangel Gabriel held a white lily in his hand when he appeared to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus.
Madonna lilies were usually depicted without a stamen and filaments to underline their association with innocence.
This species of lily finally came to be known as the Mary or Madonna flower, which also explains the popular name of «Madonna lily».
Its botanical name (Lilium candidum)
was conferred by Carl von Linné, a natural scientist, in 1753. «Candidum» means «brilliant white».
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Further exciting topics about lilies
Lilies and their history
Since when are there lilies? Where do they come from? And why are they so popular worldwide? Here you will find the answers to these and other questions.
What does the word «lily» mean?
Today the lily has a similar name in many languages. But this name comes from ancient Egypt and originally meant something else.
Lilies for men and gods
Lilies stand for love, innocence, ephemerality and rebirth. That is why there are exciting stories about customs - but also anecdotes from the world of the gods.
Madonna lily
It enchants with its brilliant white and stood for paganism until the Middle Ages. Here we explain why this lily is now called Madonna lily.
Completely crazy for regal lilies
The strong perfume of the regal lily led to an almost ruinous purchase contract and even almost cost the life of a plant hunter. But read for yourself.
Fire lily
It wards off storms, makes it easier for the hens to breed, helps us find a partner and is even a beauty elixir: here you can learn a lot about the Fire lily.
The mysterious night life of the Turk's cap
Why does the Turk’s Cap only smell at night? And how is a lily pollinated with its flowers hanging down? The exciting answers to these questions can be found here.