Lily flower Meanings and Symbolism: What do lily colours mean?

Some blooms are associated with love, some with power – for lilies, the concept is elegance. Visually, these flowers remind us of grace, but they have a few other distinct connotations. If you want to select a purposeful bouquet for your friends, family, or colleagues, matching your message with lily flowers and their meanings can help. Read more below about the most popular colours and symbolism. 

What Does the Name Lily Mean?

It’s based on the Latin word 'Lilium', which was associated with purity. With time, Lilium became Lily, but the symbolism stayed the same. This name has the same meaning as the lily flower: innocence, virtue, and integrity. Another important connotation is ‘new beginnings’, as an extension of purity.

The History and Origins of the Lily

Lilies aren’t a new variety – they have been around for centuries, even finding their way into religious art. Their first appearance was around 1580 AC in Crete (Ancient Greece); next, they were found in the Roman Empire, China, Japan, and even the Pyrenees. In ancient times, lilies were blooms of the gods; during the Victorian era, medicinal components. Today, these blooms have a variety of uses, including gifting.

What Do Lilies Mean?

These blooms offer several interpretations, which are tied to their colours.

White Lily Meaning: Purity and Innocence

Gift Occasion: Weddings, Formal events

White lilies express spiritual purity and new beginnings, as well as loyalty. They’re frequent guests at weddings and engagement parties, where they serve as decor or gifts. Two more alternatives are formal occasions or celebrating a new start.

Pink Lily Meaning: Admiration and Gratitude

Gift Occasion: Anniversaries, Mother's Day, International Women’s Day

Pink lilies convey admiration, affection, and warmth. Gifting these blooms says ‘Thank you for being with me’ or ‘I admire your character’ – but not necessarily with a romantic undertone. So, Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day are fitting holidays for pink lilies. For a purely romantic message, Udora florists offer bouquets with crimson blooms.

Red Lily Meaning: Passion and Love

Gift Occasion: Anniversaries, Valentine’s Day

Red lilies, of course, are tied to eternal love – just as all things red are usually connected to love. Their secondary symbolism is courage. On anniversaries, they are ideal for celebrating your time together as partners; on Valentine's day, they help strengthen our bonds. To add a secondary meaning of loyalty, look for red + white lily bouquets on Udora.

Orange Lily Meaning: Energy and Enthusiasm

Gift Occasion: Promotions, graduations, birthdays

Orange lilies radiate enthusiasm and a zest for life – the most famous example is the world-famous tiger lily. This symbolism is usually tied to all things positive, be it grand milestones or small achievements. Essentially, this is your go-to for celebrating someone’s progress or wishing them a happy life.

Yellow Lily Meaning: Friendship and Joy

Gift Occasion: Birthdays, Friendship celebrations

Yellow lilies embody joy and positivity, but above all else, they represent friendship. The most common interpretation is close to ‘You’re my best friend, and I wish you happiness in new endeavours.’ Think of this colour for celebrating companionship.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with presenting these blooms to a relative or a colleague. In case you don’t want your gesture to mean ‘You’re my best friend’, add some orange or white flowers.

Purple Lily Flower Meaning: Royalty and Success

Gift Occasion: Graduation, Corporate Events

Purple lilies are about royalty and wealth. This hue has an especially regal appearance, which is perfect for making a strong impression. With these blooms, you can wish someone a wealthy, trouble-free life. However, if you need a bouquet for a non-conventional or whimsical person, try the black lily flower. It speaks of mystery and arcane power.

Green Lily Flower Meaning: Harmony and Renewal

Gift Occasion: Housewarmings, Pick-me-up gifts

Green lilies speak of harmony and growth. These varieties’ hue is closer to a yellow-green than pure green. They are a perfect fit for housewarmings or wishing your friend a quick recovery. While it can also mean ‘new beginnings’, like white, the undertone here is overcoming struggles. 

Another rare variety, the blue lily, has a spiritual meaning. It’s related to faith and tranquillity and could be a great gift for someone in need of support.

Types of Lilies

Not all species have the same hues, so you’ll need to know which variety to look for. Calla lilies aren’t on the list, as they belong to a different family.

Asiatic Lilies

This variety is very vibrant, with shades ranging from red and orange to pink and white. You can sometimes find bicoloured Asiatic lilies – for example, the petals could be red in the centre and yellow around the edges.

Candidum Hybrid Lilies

Their buds are shaped like trumpets, which gives them a more elegant, compact look. They usually feature only white or off-white tones, with little variety in terms of vibrant colours. Their second name is ‘Madonna lilies’. 

American Lilies

Native to North America, these lilies are very vibrant, usually red or orange, but their buds appear slightly smaller.

Oriental Lilies

For making an impact with fewer blooms (and a cheaper deal), consider Oriental lilies – they feature large blossoms, unique shapes, and especially vivid tones. They are often bi-coloured, with unique curved petals.

Trumpet Lilies

Trumpet or Aurelian lilies look exactly like you might think – like small white trumpets nested on a green stem. They have a strong, sweet scent – not a great choice for those who are allergic to pollen or sensitive to smells.

Longiflorum Lilies

This variety is quite similar to the Trumpet lilies in appearance and colour scheme, but its fragrance is usually very mild. You might find it under the name ‘Easter lilies’.

How to Care for Cut Lilies

Freshly cut lilies usually last 10-14 days – it’s an amazing variety, isn’t it? Of course, this longevity requires the right care.

1. Start by removing the wrapping and trimming the stems (2-3 cms)
2. Cleaning your vase with soap. Add fresh water – you’ll need to fill ⅔ of the vase
3. Remove all the leaves that might be submerged in water
4. If your store provided a flower food mix, add it to the water
5. Place your arrangement inside the vase
6. Finish by finding a cool place, away from sunlight or heating
7. Refresh the water every 2-3 days (and trim the stems too, if you can)

What Is the Superstition About Lilies?

There are a few common ones – knowing them can help avoid buying the wrong present. In some countries, like Japan, lilies are reserved for funerals; gifting them during a birthday is definitely not a good idea. In others, bringing them into a house or even keeping them inside is bad luck. Another superstition has to do with wilting – if a lily bouquet wilts too fast, it’s a sign of an upcoming serious illness. 

The key takeaway here is this: presenting lilies is interpreted differently, depending on where you are, so make sure to do your research.

When Do Lilies Bloom?

The season for most varieties is during the summer, from June to August – that’s the best time to buy fresh lilies and save an extra penny. Other types might bloom in spring or even early autumn. On Udora, you can find these blooms any time of the year – our florists source the flowers to make sure you always have options.

Now you are well-versed in lily meanings – we know you’ll find the right colour whenever there’s a new celebration on the horizon. Our last tip to keep in mind is the scent; it’s known to cause allergies and can be overwhelming for some people. So, choose your bouquet carefully! If you’re ready to go with lilies, Udora sellers offer a wide variety of designs for numerous occasions. Take a look at our catalogue to get started.