A great many flowers have been named after Mary, and flowers have also been associated with phases of Her life. Typical colours for Mary are heavenly blue and virginal white. Blue also refers to Mary as Queen of Heaven. These shades relate to certain flowers. Below, connections are made between Mary and some flowers.
- iris: The blue iris (Iris Germania) refers to the deep blue of Mary.
- lily: this has biblical references. A variant is the Madonna lily. The gladiolus recalls the sword of sorrow and pain, which symbolically pierces Mary's heart.
Woodruff: is white, also called “Asperula odorata”, has a fragrant, sweet scent after the leaves have wilted. Legend tells: Mary gave the herb its scent as thanks, and Joseph made a bed for Her from its leaves. Another legend says: Anna, Mary's mother, gathered woodruff to make a fragrant pillow for her daughter, so that She could sleep well.
- Daisy: also called little daisy, maiden daisy, and May blossom. Refers to Mary by the colour white and humility. Blooms in May, also called “Bellis perennis”.
- Milk Thistle: an annual plant, also called “Silybum marianum”. A legend tells: the white spots on the leaves originated when Mary spilled a few drops of breast milk while feeding her Child.
- Lily of the valley: also known as “lily of the valley”, it is white and symbolises the purity and virginity of Mary.
-roos: appears in the Litany of Loreto, is known from the Mystical Rose and Rosary.
Forget-me-not: also called “little forget-me-not”, a small blue flower, its smallness also referring to humility, also called “Myosotis”. The flower is also a plea to Mary to remember people and bring them to heaven.
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