№ 734-738. Flora. Lilies

A lily is an amazing flower. It is featured on the coat of arms of Louis the Ninth. The three lilies on his colours symbolized sympathy, justice and mercy - the three virtues that characterized this king's reign.

The white lily is a symbol of innocence and purity. In Greek mythology it is sky-born. It is said to grow from the milk of Juno, the mother of gods.

Philip III the Brave was the first French king whose seal consisted of three lilies. 200 years later the seal became a national emblem.

Some Caucasian lilies can get red and yellow after rain, that is why girls use them for divination. They take a lily bud and open it after the rain is over. If the flower is yellow inside, the intended is inconstant, if the flower is red, he loves the girl.

There is the following story about the red lily.

The lily has received its name from the ancient Gaul word "li-li" which means "very white". Not long ago the lily was amateur culture, but due to the success of the modern selection it has quickly turned into one of the most popular flowers. Today we know about 100 kinds and more than 3000 sorts of lilies.