BWF 
Posted on 08/12/2025 at 2:07 pm by Ben White Florist / Flowers
A popular choice for bouquets and home arrangements, lilies bring an air of elegance to any room or outdoor space. But what does the lily flower really represent?
You may be surprised to find that different types of lilies carry different symbolism, depending on the arrangement. Discover the true meanings behind each color of the lily.
White lilies are probably what you think of when you think of lilies. They’re extremely popular in flower arrangements and gift bouquets. These gorgeous white flowers represent purity and fertility. In some cases, they also symbolize rebirth.
Many weddings, funerals, and baptism events are decorated with white lilies to highlight the purity of the soul and continuation of the cycle of life. White is a common color that demonstrates purity, since it’s free from all other hues.
In Christian contexts, white lilies symbolize the Virgin Mary and her purity as the mother of Jesus. As a result, you may often see white lilies in churches, particularly around sacred holidays like Easter and Christmas.
Fertility and rebirth are important concepts in many cultures, and according to some ancient stories, white lilies are a beaming symbol of them. That is why these flowers are often linked to gods and goddesses in polytheistic religions.
Yellow is a naturally cheerful color, so it only makes sense that yellow lilies represent joy and happiness. They can also symbolize friendship and gratitude, making them a popular choice in “thank-you” gifts.
Any joyful event can be appropriate for gifting these yellow beauties. Celebrations like graduations, weddings, baptisms, birthdays, and the birth of a new child are particularly ideal for yellow lilies.
The color pink is traditionally associated with feminine things and people, and pink lilies are no different. They symbolize softness of the spirit, grace, and platonic love.
You might gift pink lilies to close friends, parents, and other important people in your life. When you want to convey non-romantic love, lilies are a great choice.
Femininity conveys confidence and the strength of love. Give pink lilies to celebrate occasions like birthdays, new motherhood, and baby showers. They also make perfect “just-because” flowers, particularly for your female friends and relatives.
Red lilies are often reserved for romantic occasions. They represent the passion of strong romance and desire between lovers. Whenever you need to convey your love for your partner, just add red lilies to a bouquet or other arrangement.
In ancient Greek mythology, red lilies have a special meaning. The Greeks believed that red lilies grew from the nourishment of the beloved goddess Hera’s blood, whose passion toward her lover never ceased.
Purple lilies symbolize elegance, royalty, and spiritual wisdom. Their association with royal matters comes from a time when purple inks and dyes were only accessible to royal families. Kings specifically benefited from purple’s gorgeous hues and attractive nature.
Now, purple lilies represent the elegant transformation of one’s spirit into a more royal, prominent position. If you know someone who recently got a promotion at work or has taken on a new role in life, purple lilies can show your admiration.
Not sure which lilies to pick out for a loved one? Here’s a closer look at which lilies suit different popular occasions best.
Yellow and purple lilies work well as accent flowers for graduation arrangements, symbolizing cheerfulness, celebration, and personal growth.
You can’t go wrong with pure white lilies for wedding arrangements. Throw in some pink and yellow to brighten the spirit of the attendees and convey soft, intimate love.
Go with red and white lilies for your and your partner’s anniversary. The red lilies display your passionate love for them, while the white lilies represent the purity of your love.
For sympathy flowers, choose delicate colors for these lilies, like pink, white, and red. Avoid overly flashy colors as you convey your sympathy and well-wishes for the person in pain.
Pink and white lilies are popular for baby showers and new mom bouquets. The pink represents the mother’s feminine strength and delicacy, while white lilies symbolize the purity and innocence of the new baby.
Lilies make a timeless addition to any bouquet, for any occasion. When you keep the true meanings of each lily color in mind, you can pick out the best lily floral arrangements for your loved ones.
Ben White Florist 
BWF 
