The language, legends and history for the lily of the valley; the flower for those born in the month of May.
Every flower has a history and every flower symbolizes something. Often the history and symbols are confusing and contradictory but they are still fascinating. If your birthday is in the month of May, your flower is the lily of the valley. Here is the story and language of your flower.
Linguistic Roots for the Name Lily of the Valley
The lily of the valley heralds from northern Europe. As a result, it did not originally have a Latin or Greek name. The monks who named it had knowledge of botany and so chose a Latin name for it that had religious connotations. They named it lilium convallium (now convallaria majalis), lily of the valley. The naming of the plant referred not only to the flower’s tendency to grow in valleys but also to the Song of Solomon where we read the phrase “I am the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley.”
The official Latin name convallaria majalis means valley (convallaria) and the month of May (majalis), which probably refers to where and when it blooms.
History of the Flower
One of the colloquial names for the lily of the valley is Our Lady’s Tears because legend claims that the flower sprung up from the Virgin Mary’s tears, which she shed at the foot of the cross. As a result, the flower became associated with Mary.
In ancient times, boys and girls would pick bouquets of lily of the valley because it was supposed to bring good fortune in love. Because of the timing of the plant’s blossom, it was often referred to as May Lily or May Bells.
Another beguiling legend tells that nightingales only sing after the scent of the lily of the valley fills the air. Perhaps this whimsical legend is the source of another one of the plant’s common names, Fairy’s Bells.
Since the Middle Ages, the blossoms are often included as a traditional part of the bride’s bouquet and are considered symbolic of modesty and purity.
The lily of the valley’s stalk, flowers, and berries are all extremely poisonous. However, an extract of the plant, digitalis glycosides, has been used for centuries to help treat heart ailments.
Perhaps this dichotomy is one of the reasons the plant has become a symbol for making the right choice. The plant has attributes that reflect of the profound opposites we find in life, that of poison and healing, or life and death.
Speaking with Lily of the Valley
If you send lily of the valley to someone, you are sending a message that you desire fortune in love or that you wish to make the right choice.
Take a look at a complete list of Flowers of the Month.
Sources
Heilmeyer, Marina. The Language of Flowers: Symbols and Myths. Prestel Verlag, 2001.
McVicar, Jekka. The Complete Herb Book. Kyle Cathie Limited, 1999.
Wells, Diana. 100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 1997
