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The lily of the valley signifies the return of happiness.
Legend tells of the affection of a lily of the valley for a nightingale that did not come back to the woods until the flower bloomed in May.
It is a symbol of humility in religious painting.
According to a Christian legend, Mary's tears turned to into lilies of the valley when she cried at the cross and because of this it is also known as "Mary's Tears."
Many ancient allegories connect the flower with motherhood. One fable tells us that the lily sprang from the milk of Hera, the mythological Queen of Heaven. This may explain why the lily is so closely associated with Mary in Roman Catholic tradition.
In early paintings, the Angel Gabriel is seen handing a bouquet of white lilies to the Virgin Mary. In other paintings, the saints are bringing vessels full of lilies to Mary and the baby Jesus. In another legend, a visit to the tomb of Mary three days after her burial found nothing in the tomb except large bunches of lovely lilies. Artists have often used the lily to represent the Resurrection of Mary. The white petals of the lily are said to represent the spotless body of the Virgin Mary and its golden anthers are said to be her soul glowing this heavenly light.
In France, May Day is still called called "the day of the lilies of the valley," and presenting the flower to a friend on that day conveys good luck. Traditionally peasant children pick them in the fields to sell on every street corner for May Day, which marked a day of festival for fertility goddesses like Maia or Flora long before it was coopted as Mary's holiday.
The power of men to envision a better world has been attributed to the lily of the valley.
Lily of the valley has been used for medicinal purposes.
It was believed to strengthen memory and to restore speech.
As a liquor smeared on the forehead and the back of the neck, to make one have good common sense.
All parts of the plant are considered poisonous, despite it's alleged powers.
The leaves yield a green dye, with lime water.
ARTIST: Trad and Anon
TITLE: White Coral Bells
Lyrics
White coral bells upon a slender stalk
Lilies-of-the valley line my garden walk
Oh, how I wish that you could hear them ring
That will happen only when the fairies sing.
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