The lily, from Ryukyu Islands of Japan, adapted well to the climate. By 1945, west coast growers producing the bulbs numbered over one thousand. In the commercial market, Easter lilies rank only behind poinsettias, mums, and azaleas as the largest potted plant in the United States, even though they are only sold two weeks out of the year.
The elegantly beautiful and majestic white lily has been a popular subject in history, mythology, and art. In the Bible, the lily is referred to in the Sermon on the Mount when Christ said, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin and yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of those."
Lilies are often called the "White-Robed Apostles of Hope". Lilies were discovered in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ died on the cross. During the Easter season, churches line their altars and envelop their crosses with a multitude of Easter Lilies, to signify the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life.
The pure white lily has long been a symbol of womanhood, especially in early works of art. In many early paintings, the angel Gabriel is seen presenting a branch of lilies to the Virgin Mary when informing her that she is to be the mother of the Christ child. In other paintings, saints bring vases of white lilies to Mary and Jesus. It is traditionally believed that when Eve was cast out of the Garden of Eden, she cried tears of repentance from which sprung pure white lilies: true repentance is the first step towards beauty.
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