The lily of the valley has a long history as a symbol of purity, innocence and humility. It symbolises a return to happiness, most likely due to the timing of the time of bloom and the anticipation of summer.
Ancient astrologers believed the goddess Maia’s son protected the lily of the valley, while the Romans thought that the god Mercury protected it.

Greek mythology tells of Apollo, who created the flower as the ground cover for nymphs to walk on. Some Legends tell of how the lily of the valley fell in love with the nightingales’ song and would only bloom each May when the bird returned to the woods.

Christian lore tells of how the lily of the valley came from Eve’s tears after she was sent out of the Garden of Eden or that it came from the tears of the Virgin Mary at Christ’s crucifixion and referred to the flower as the “Our Lady’s Tears”. The Bible mentions the flower numerous times associated with Christ’s second coming.

In the 1500s, King Charles IX was given a lily of the valley on May Day for good luck. Each year while he reigned, he continued this tradition of gifting flowers for good luck—a practice which continues today in France.

Lily of the valley is also the national flower of Finland. In Serbia, the lily of the valley is picked on St. George’s Day to decorate homes and bring good luck and prosperity.

Due to its sweet fragrance, Lily of the Valley is popular for wedding bouquets. In Holland, newlyweds often plant the lily of the valley in their garden to bring luck in their marriage. The flowers were part of the bridal bouquets of Kate Middleton and Princess Diana.

The lily of the valley is worn each year on May 8 in Helston, England, during the Furry Dance, a centuries-old celebration.

Lilly of the valley tends to be expensive cut flowers. They typically last three to seven days. It is best to trim away foliage with a sharp knife or scissors. Tearing off leaves can cause unnecessary wounding, allowing bacteria to enter. Cut the bottoms of the stems and place them in warm water. Remove wilted flowers from the vase, as they will accelerate bacterial growth in the water. Lilly of the valley looks best in small, plain, crystal containers accompanied only by their leaves.

The hawthorn is part of the Rose family, which includes apples, pears and cherries. Its name can be traced back to the Old English word hagathorn, when haga meant ‘hedge.’ Many believed a hawthorn’s bloom marked the change from spring to summer. The connection to May Day is undeniable when making garlands and decorations with flowering Hawthorn branches is customary.

The hawthorn is steeped in symbolism and is strongly associated with the pagan symbol of fertility, renewal and protection and as a symbol of hope.

In Celtic mythology, it is believed to be a gateway between this world and the Otherworld and is often a symbol of protection and good fortune. Some even believe that hawthorn trees help shelter fairies, who act as their guardians. According to Serbian lore, it was thought that hawthorn stakes could slay vampires.

Ancient Greeks used hawthorn branches during their wedding processions. Celtic lore believed that Hawthorns were able to heal a broken heart.

In Aryan myth, the hawthorn flower sprang from a lightning bolt, revealing its sacred status. Hawthorn was one of the holy trees of Taramis, the northern Jupiter. Pyrenean peasants believed wearing a hawthorn branch or a flower protected them against thunderbolts, lightning and fire. The ancient Germans used Hawthorn wood for their funeral pyres after consecrating it with a mallet, the symbol of Thor. According to their belief, the sacred fire of the burning hawthorn wood carries the souls of the dead to heaven.

In the French city of Biarritz, custom involved making hawthorn wreaths on St. John’s Day. After praying, they threw the wreaths into the sea, believing that this act protected them from evil spirits throughout the year.

An essential part of the hawthorn flower’s meaning comes from Christianity. The Christian tradition believes the Crown of Thorns, which Jesus Christ wore during the crucifixion, was made from hawthorn, giving the flower a mournful reputation. In French, the Hawthorn flower is called l’Epine noble, and many Christians believe that the hawthorn tree groans each Good Friday.

Hawthorn has been used for many years in traditional medicine, mainly to treat heart conditions and blood diseases, blood pressure, high cholesterol and chest pains. Most of its medicinal value is in its fruit which has a cinnamon-like taste and can be used to make wine or jam; the young leaves are great in salads.

More recently, the hawthorn’s fame has come from the Harry Potter series, where Draco Malfoy’s wand was made of hawthorn wood.