top of page
Search
Writer's pictureNicole Oneto

Signs: Calla Lilies

Updated: 3 days ago



Calla lilies have been significant to me for some time now, so it’s surprising that they are only now making their debut as a part of the Signs series. It’s time! Flowers are a bit different than the other signs and symbols I have written about because there is a longstanding floral language in which each type of flower and the colors they come in are assigned a meaning that can be used to communicate messages without words. Their meanings tend to be less of a call to action and more of a representation of emotions.


It turns out that calla lilies have quite a historical and cultural background. In Greek, the word “calla” means beauty and a story in Greek mythology includes this flower. Zeus tried to feed his son, Hercules, from Hera’s breast while she was sleeping. When she awoke, she pushed the baby off of her. As she did this, some of her milk spilled into the sky and created the Milky Way, and some fell onto the earth and created calla lilies. Additionally, calla lilies have significance in Christianity. Calla lilies bloom in the spring, around Easter time. The trumpet-like shape of a calla lily is thought to be an announcement of the Good News that Christ was risen. This trumpet shape can also be associated with the voice of God in general.


Because calla lilies bloom in the spring, after a long and cold winter, they have earned the symbolic meaning of rebirth and overcoming challenges. They serve as a beautiful reminder that nothing blooms all year, so we should not expect ourselves to either. There is a whole season dedicated to contraction and slowing down, and calla lilies follow this pattern, so we should, too.


Calla lilies are most commonly white, but they can also be found in yellow, orange, purple, red, pink, and black. A white calla lily can have many meanings, including purity, faith, divinity, and rebirth. All of these concepts are intertwined, and they all stem from the idea of purity. Purity means many things. It can mean perfect, genuine, and absolute; these are words that can be used to describe God, which connects us to the concepts of faith and divinity. Purity can also mean clean, new, and virginal; this can be associated with the idea of a rebirth or new beginning, which is why calla lilies can be signs of significant transition. White calla lilies are often used both at weddings and funerals, as both are major transitions, marking the end of one thing and the beginning of something new.



Each color these flowers can be found in has its own meaning associated with it. Yellow and orange can represent joy, growth, change, and gratitude. This is likely due to the brightness and vibrancy of these colors. These colors radiate in a special way, symbolizing light and elation. Calla lilies also sometimes take on a spiral-like form, connecting it to the concepts of expansion, growth, and change. Pink calla lilies can represent admiration or appreciation. Red can signify passion, intensity, and desire, and similarly, dark purple can be associated with strength and passion. Purple calla lilies also have a unique connection with spirituality, transformation, and the mysterious depths of the human mind and soul. This is also well represented by the spiral-like shape, as you can also follow the spiral inward for deep reflection.


Seeing calla lilies in your dreams can be a sign of growth, abundance, and success to come. If you see a single calla lily in a dream, this can indicate a fresh start or a new beginning you may be stepping into soon.


We have had calla lilies growing at my house for as long as I can remember. I remember patiently waiting each year for them to bloom and sharing the excitement with my mom when the first one would bloom for the year. I actually have calla lilies tattooed on my body because I associate them with my mom, who is one of my very best friends and biggest supporters. I love to see calla lilies when I’m out and about, which doesn’t happen often, so it’s extra exciting when it does, and I always think of my mom. I think they are so soft, beautiful, and elegant, encapsulating my mom’s energy perfectly.



Calla lilies are beautiful flowers with many positive and inspiring meanings. Keep an eye out for calla lilies in your life and in your dreams. They may be trying to tell you something. :)



References


admin. (2017, March 22). Calla Lily Flower Meaning - Flower Meaning. Flower Meaning. https://www.flowermeaning.com/calla-lily-meaning/

Elrod, D. (2023, May 19). Calla Lily Flower Meaning, Symbolism & Spiritual Significance - Foliage Friend - Learn About Different Types of Plants. Foliage Friend - Learn about Different Types of Plants. https://foliagefriend.com/calla-lily-flower-meaning/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu-63BhC9ARIsAMMTLXSjDtHpCjvT-HiQqG-fPNwQJWbSxR-bNiKJx5Eo0YsCuVY3lJJFShsaAtuxEALw_wcB

Meropi Mavrogiorgou. (2024). The Meaning of Different Lilies. DutchGrown. https://www.dutchgrown.com/blogs/the-dutchgrown-blog/the-meaning-of-different-lilies-dutchgrown-us

The Calla Lily, a symbol of rebirth and union | SKY cadeaux et fleurs. (2014, January 24). Skyfleurs.com. https://skyfleurs.com/en/calla-lily/

5 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comentários


bottom of page