Calla Lilies

White lilies symbolise chastity and virtue – and were the symbol of the Virgin Mary’s purity and her role of Queen of the Angels. Calla lily meaning is sombre and grave. In one hand it is used in weddings as sign of purity and on the other hand it resembles resurrection and often planted in the graves. The flower is very attractive and beautiful and in one hand it resides in the wedding bouquet and in other it is used in funeral arrangements. Calla lilies are a native of southern Africa. They are grown from rhizomes and once planted they keep spreading. It does not need too much care neither is it very sensitive to soil variations. It can thrive in any kind of soil, provided there is a humid climate around. It is a very attractive flower and the most common colour that we see around is white. But the flower is found in colours like burgundy, pink, yellow, blackish purple, and orange. In the marriages the colour that is used is white, symbolic the purity of union. A bouquet that is made from white calla lilies and red roses is a very common preference. Calla lily meaning has been related to Greek goddess Hera. The word calla means beautiful. The legend goes like this. Zeus, the roman god had fathered Hercules with earthly women. When Hercules was born, Zeus wanted Hercules to have divine powers. He drugged Hera and let the little Hercules nurse from her. As Hera came back to her senses, she was furious and pushed the baby aside. During this act, the milk way was formed and as the few drops of milk fell on the earth they became lilies. Seeing the beautiful lilies, Venus felt that her beauty is being challenged. She began cursing the flower and soon a heavy pistil came out of the centre of the beautiful cup shaped flower. Callas lilies are associated with Mother Mary, and it symbolises her purity and virginity. Again it is seen on Easter and it herald resurrection. It also is related to the holy cross and Christ’s passions while on it. During the Victorian Era, puritans imposed restrictions on the use of impure words and since then flowers are used to transfer feelings of the heart. Different flowers have different meaning and the Calla lily meaning is both rebirth and union.