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The lily symbolizes purity, innocence, and peace across cultures. In East Slavic Christian tradition, it is linked to the Virgin Mary and key religious feasts. This report explores its role in hymnography, iconography, folklore, and Orthodox rituals.

Paper long abstract

The lily is a flower long associated with purity, innocence, and spiritual beauty. In ancient Eastern cultures and Greek mythology, it symbolized virginity and sanctity. In Christianity, particularly in the East Slavic tradition, the white lily represents youth, chastity, and is closely tied to the Virgin Mary. According to the Gospel of Matthew (6:28–29), Jesus Himself referred to the lilies of the field as symbols of divine care and natural beauty.

Tradition holds that the Archangel Gabriel brought a white lily to Mary at the Annunciation. To this day, Orthodox Christians bring white lilies to church on this feast, often placing them near icons, where they remain until the Dormition. A miracle associated with lilies blooming from dry stems occurs annually on the Greek island of Kefalonia during this time.

The lily also holds healing properties and is used in folk medicine for wounds, inflammation, and to support the immune system. Despite its association with life and purity, the lily is also present in funeral customs, symbolizing peace and eternal rest.

In Slavic folklore and literature, the lily is seen as the embodiment of a pure soul. This report explores its symbolic role in Orthodox hymnography, iconography, and rituals.