Many women admit that lilies would be their number one choice of bouquet so it is no surprise that lily tattoos are among the favorite floral designs in body art too. Not only is this a beautiful flower but it is an amazing shape to draw too which makes it ideal for tattoos.
The lily originates from the south-eastern part of Europe on the Balkan Peninsula but it was imported from there to other European countries. It went from there to become of one the most popular flowers in the world and more recently has also become one of the most sought after tattoo images.
The traditional lily is white so it will come as no surprise that lily tattoos symbolize innocence and purity. In Christianity, the purity of these noble and elegant flowers was believed to be a representation of divine virginity and St Joseph is often pictured with white lilies sprouting from his staff. According to legend Mary picked Joseph from a crowd because he was holding a white lily. Lilies have also been linked to the Saints throughout the centuries as well as to Gabriel, the Archangel.
However, lily tattoos can also have a more erotic symbolism which stems from ancient Greece where these flowers were associated with fertility and procreation as opposed to chastity or purity. This was because of their sensual scent and their phallic-like shape. According to Greek mythology, the lily was created by a drop of milk that fell from the breast of Juno when she was nursing Hercules as a baby.
The lily is also a sign of excellence and luxury, think Louis VII and his fleur-de-lis French coat of arms. Some say this was due to the lily’s connotations with procreation although legend has it that an angel brought him a lily and this was the reason behind the French monarch’s infatuation. Italy also has links to the lily and it is still considered to be the emblem of Florence as well as being a popular tattoo design with many Italians.
There are a variety of additional meanings that are associated with lily tattoos besides the traditional pure and innocent connotations. It also signifies highly regarded concepts such as nobility of spirit and pride so it is an ideal tattoo for a strong woman who is proud and elegant too. These are very pretty designs and can have differing meanings depending on the color and variety of the flower. In China, the lily means mother and in other cultures a pink lily represents vanity while yellow means nobility but a calla lily signifies beauty and the tiger lily is a symbol for pride and wealth.
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