The Lily – A Symbol of Easter

The beautiful white lily is synonymous with Easter; and is often called the ‘Easter lily’ having become a symbol of Christ’s Resurrection. However, the flower, also known as the Madonna Lily, represents the Annunciation as well. 
According to legend the lily sprang from the tears of Eve when she was expelled from the Garden of Eden. However, the lily was yellow in colour until it turned white when picked by the Virgin Mary, symbolising the restoration of innocence to the world which had been lost by Eve. 
In the 7th century, the Venerable Bede likened Mary to a white lily, the white petals symbolizing her pure body and the golden anthers the radiance of her soul. A symbol of Mary’s purity and innocence. The lily was also reputed to have the power of healing, just as Mary was to bring into the world the cure for its sins. 
By the 14th century it was common to see the lily appearing in annunciation paintings, placed in a vase between the Angel Gabriel and the young Mary. During the Renaissance period, paintings showed the Angel Gabriel holding a spray of lilies; both forms symbolising Mary’s purity and innocence. 
The flower’s association with Easter grew from another legend; according to which it is said that some white lilies were found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus went to pray the night before His Crucifixion. Apparently, the flowers sprang up where drops of Christ's sweat fell like blood as he prayed. 
Since the early 20th century white lilies have been used to decorate churches at Easter, and became a popular inclusion in paintings of the resurrection. 
The lifeless bulb buried in the ground represents the tomb of Christ; from the cold earth new life grows, recalling Christ rising from the dead. Like Christ, the Easter lily is reborn to live again symbolizing new life emerging from death and suffering. 
The white trumpet-like flower symbolizes Jesus’ life after death. Its pure white colour represents the purity of Christ, the gold represents his Kingship, while the trumpet shape signifies Gabriel's trumpet call to rebirth and new life. 
Throughout Christian history, the lily has been used in religious ceremonies, including funerals, weddings, and baptisms; and can be found in altar pieces, religious artwork, including sculptures, paintings, iconography and stained-glass windows. Take a look at the stained-glass windows in St. John’s and see if you can spot some lilies; some of which appear stylised, but there is one window in which you can clearly see lilies growing (with roses and lily of the valley too – two other flowers associated with the Virgin Mary).