What Do Calla Lilies Symbolize?

History

• The Romans force-bloomed calla lily bulbs indoors at the winter solstice to represent the awakening of the light from the dark of winter. The phallic nature of the spadix enveloped in the single, soft, unfurling spathe made it a very sensual symbol.

Weddings and Funerals

• In the second half of the 18th century, calla lilies were introduced in the United States. They immediately became popular as a wedding flower, representing the elegant beauty of the bride and pristine white purity. According to "Stories in Stone: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography," this era is also what was known as the golden age of American cemeteries. The symbolism as a wedding flower quickly translated into funerary traditions and artwork to symbolize marriage and elegance.

Art and Philosophy

• Thanks to the sexual interpretation of the calla lily suggested by Sigmund Freud, the popularity of calla lilies rose and their meaning shifted. Artists such as Diego Rivera and Georgia O'Keeffe featured calla lilies prominently in their work. According to "Georgia O'Keeffe and the Calla Lily in American Art, 1860-1940," Georgia O'Keeffe's constant and focused renderings of calla lilies reinforced the sensual feminine symbolism of the flower and earner her the title "the lady of the lilies."