Lilies

Lilies are a symbol of supernatural purity. In Greek and Roman times, the lily was regarded as the symbol of sublime love, procreation, and glory. In Medieval and Renaissance Europe, the white lily was symbolic of purity of the soul and chastity. Similar to the white rose they were related to the Virgin Mary.  Lilies are frequently depicted in pictures of the Annunciation. This trend was popularized by Duccio, a 13th century Italian Sienese painter. The use of orange lilies became popularized after the 15th century but were still not depicted as often as their white counterparts.

Resources Used

Bravinder, Tristan. “7 Favorite Flowers from Renaissance Manuscripts and Their Christian Symbolism.” Getty, 20 Dec. 2017, https://blogs.getty.edu/iris/7-favorite-flowers-from-renaissance-manuscripts-and-their-christian-symbolism/.

Burnett, Charles. “Liber Florum Celestis Doctrine: The Flowers of Heavenly Teaching, by John of Morigny.” Aries, vol. 18, no. 1, Jan. 2018, pp. 137–40. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1163/15700593-01801007.

Fisher, Celia. Flowers in Medieval Manuscripts. 1. publ, British Library, 2004.

---. The Medieval Flower Book. British Library, 2007.