Friday, April 15, 2011

Legend of the Easter Lily - Postcard Friendship Friday #59



The lily is a symbol of purity because of its whiteness and delicacy of form. This flower is said to symbolize the innocence and the radiance of the risen Lord’s sinless life.  It is called the Easter lily because the flowers bloom in early spring, around Easter time.
 
The first Bermuda, or white trumpet lily was actually brought to the United States from Bermuda in the 1880s by Mrs. Thomas P. Sargent of Philadelphia, Pa. 

There is an ancient legend about these white lilies.  It is said in the Garden of Gethsemane, there were many beautiful flowers, but the loveliest of all was the pure white lily. But the lily knew it was beautiful and proudly lifted its head to show its shining beauty to anyone who happened to pass by the garden. 

The night before He was crucified, the Savior came into the quiet Garden of Gethsemane to pray. As He prayed and wept, bearing the weight of the ages, all the flowers of the garden bowed their heads in pity and sorrow except one.  The proud lily did not understand, and would not bow its lovely white head. 

When dawn broke, to its despair the lily discovered Christ was to be crucified. The flower felt so miserable about how it had acted in the garden the night before, it bowed its head in shame. 

The legend has it that since then -- to honor the Lord Jesus and to show its everlasting sorrow -- the fragrant white lily has grown with a down-turned blossom.

Happy Easter and have a wonderful Postcard Friendship Friday.

* Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox!


14 comments:

Terra said...

This is a touching story about the Easter Lily and why its flowers are down turned; I love flower stories and legends and history.

Heather said...

I didn't know the story behind this symbol. Thanks.

MrCachet said...

I had never heard that story before. The lily in religious art is associated with the Child and St. Joseph, but this story is touching in a special way. As always, THANK YOU for hosting Postcard Friendly Friday!

Dorincard said...

Interesting tale.
And I thought it's a down-turned blossom simply to not accumulate too much rainwater.
But what do I know?
:)

Scrappy Grams said...

Lovely legend.

Postcard Perfect said...

Great story! Happy Easter to you too!

dakotaboo said...

Nice post - was not aware of the story, thanks for sharing. Happy PFF and Happy Easter.

Snap said...

wonderful post, Beth. You always come up with information to make my little gray cells happy!!!!! happy PFF!

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

I love your card and your story and information.

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

One of my favourite quotations. :)

Funoldhag said...

A sweet, sweet story about the lovely lily. Thank you so, Beth, for hosting PFF.

Irene said...

I love your stories, and your beautiful card.

papel1 said...

Great story. Happy PFF
Judy

Aimee Dars said...

Lovely postcard! Thanks for hosting PFF!

Cheerful said...

beautiful card and a great story, thanks for sharing! btw, just followed you...joining again for the second time and sorry for being late, anyway, have a great weekend! happy easter!