Calla lilies have a quiet dignity. They do not require petal layers to impress. Only one carved line that lifts like the candle flame. Slimmed down in shape and infinite in expression; calla lilies have traditionally had layers of meaning. They were the symbols of great beauty in Greek tradition. In the Christian imagery later, the white bloom came to be seen as a symbol of purity and holiness. In different cultures, they have been connected to life and death, both on the day of their wedding and during their funeral. Hardly any flowers bear with such grace such duality.
Part of the attraction is their shape. The funnel-shaped flower is contemporary, nearly architectural. Put them in a plain glass vase, and they seize attention in an uncluttered way. They are flowers that live on restraint, and they show that less can be more.
Colors change their character. The classic, when it comes to innocence and sincerity, is white calla lilies. Pink is easy to carry admiration and affection. The yellow, joyful, and daring is a brightening color, and the deep purple borders on mystery and passion. The shades make another brushstroke on the canvas.
They’re versatile too. During weddings, they are symbolized as a promise and love that is eternal. They are also the ones who soothe at funerals, standing tall and strong with silent power. A couple of stems can make a difference in any place, even on the most basic occasions, and change chaos into tranquility.
What is remarkable is that they are long-lasting in design. Decades later, artists, painters, and sculptors have come back to calla lilies because of their clean lines. They are completely contemporary and eternal, and this contradiction makes them always appropriate at any time.
The beauty of calla lilies is that they are quiet. They do not compete, and they do not overwhelm. They exist, ready and gracious, as a rest in music that speaks almost as much as the notes. They are simple–but deep–which is what makes them memorable.
