Why Does Lily Of The Valley Bring Good Luck?
On May 1st, it is traditional to give scented lilies of the valley to loved ones as a good luck charm. But do you know the origin of this custom? We will explain why lily of the valley is considered lucky despite the high toxicity of this plant.
A plant inseparable from the month of May.
The common lily of the valley or May lily was officially named by the naturalist Carl von Linné in 1753. Its Latin name is Convallaria majalis, which literally means “lily of the valleys that blooms in May.”
Even among the Celts, this flower was considered a good luck charm because it symbolized spring, the renewal of nature, and the harvest season.
The Romans also celebrated at the beginning of May the Floralia, festivities in honor of Flora, the goddess of flowers.
A tradition dating back to the 16th century.
The tradition of offering this plant on the first day of May emerged during the Renaissance. At that time, there was no talk of Labor Day yet, and the fragrant bells were simply a symbol of spring.
A legend recounts that in 1560 King Charles IX was presented with a sprig of lily of the valley during a visit to Dauphiné. Touched by this gesture, he supposedly decided to start a tradition of offering this seasonal flower to all the ladies of his court every year on the same date. This custom then spread throughout the kingdom.
After falling into disuse, this tradition re-emerged during the Belle Époque. The singer Félix Mayol popularized this flower by wearing it in his buttonhole on May 1, 1895. Around the same time, May 1 became a celebration again in the Paris region. On that day, French haute couturiers offer a sprig of lily of the valley to their seamstresses and clients.
A flower full of symbols
It may seem surprising that this plant from the Asparagaceae family is considered a good luck charm since it is highly toxic, even deadly. Despite its danger, several legends and positive symbols surround lily of the valley.
One legend tells that the Greek god of arts, Apollo created this flower to carpet the ground of Mount Parnassus and provide the nine muses living there with a rug worthy of their delicate feet.
In Christian tradition, this flower is associated with the Virgin Mary. It is said that the tears shed by Mary at the foot of the cross gave birth to these bell-shaped white flowers.
In 1941, when Marshal Pétain transformed Labor Day into a Workers' Day, he chose this seasonal flower as a symbol to replace the red wild rose associated with the left.
Even today, in France, this flower is believed to bring happiness to the home. To attract good luck to a household, it is recommended to offer 3 stems, each bearing 13 bells. It is amusing to note that this flower and this number are associated in other aspects of French folklore, as lily of the valley weddings symbolize 13 years of marriage!
