White Softness
by Lucinda Walter
Title
White Softness
Artist
Lucinda Walter
Medium
Photograph - Photography, Digital Art, Fine Art
Description
White Softness by Lucinda Walter
Easter lilies for the most holy of days.
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Lilies
Perhaps the flower most closely associated with Easter, lilies represent purity and hope, along with symbolizing the resurrection. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus alludes to the beauty of the flowers, reminding his listeners that King Solomon, with all of his riches, was not dressed as beautifully as the lilies of the field. Legend holds that lilies, sometimes called "white-robed apostles of hope," sprang from the ground where drops of Jesus' sweat fell to the ground during his final agony. Medieval artists used the blossoms to signify womanhood and purity in paintings of the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she was to be the mother of God. Folklore holds that visitors to the Virgin Mary's tomb found only a bed of lilies because her body went straight to heaven during the first three days after her death. Another legend says that lilies grew from Eve's tears of repentance when she left the Garden of Eden. Easter lilies and Madonna lilies symbolize virtue, innocence, hope and life, while commemorating the resurrection of Christ and the hope of eternal life in heaven.
http://people.opposingviews.com/religious-meaning-easter-flowers-2099.html
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The History of the Easter Lily
by Aurelia Fleur
Easter is associated with memories of parades, family gatherings, church services, chocolate bunnies, gift baskets, egg decorating, and the famous Easter Lily. They are very popular for Easter gifts, and their unique trumpet shaped blossoms symbolize life, purity, hope, and the spiritual meaning of Easter along with the promise of Spring.
The Easter Lily was originally bought into the United States by a World War I soldier Louis Houghton. What was previously known as the Bermuda lily was first brought to the southern coast of Oregon in 1919. Houghton distributed an entire suitcase of the hybrid lily bulbs to various friends and family.
This lily proved to really thrive in the climate there. It was similar to the flower's native Ryukyu Islands of Japan. By the year 1945, there were over a thousand growers on the west coast harvesting these bulbs to sell. There are only about two full weeks during the year when these flowers are commercially available. Easter lilies are estimated to be the fourth largest potted plant crop in the United States, following the poinsettia, mum, and azalea.
History, mythology, and art are filled with stories and images that speak of the beauty and majesty of the elegant white flowers. One of the most famous Biblical references is 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 these."
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.
Another concept associated with the pure white lily is that of womanhood. In some early paintings, the Angel Gabriel offers pure white lilies to the Virgin Mary, and this symbolizes that she will be the mother of Jesus. Other paintings show saints bringing vases of white lilies to Mary and the divine child. According to the legend, the flowers were formed when Eve cried repentant tears upon leaving Eden, and the tears became lilies. The point of this legend is that true repentance leads to beauty.
Established through the centuries as a symbol of purity, grace, and the regal lifestyle, the white lily is a suitable reminder of the greater meaning of Easter. These flowers grace millions of homes and churches every year, embodying joy, hope, and life; whether given as a gift or displayed proudly in one's home, the Easter lily remains a beauteous reminder of how Easter is a time for celebration and rejoicing. So when you purchase Easter baskets for your loved ones, don't hold back with decorated eggs and chocolates, but be certain to include a few Easter lilies as well!
Easter evokes memories of egg decorating, Easter baskets, chocolate bunnies, local church services, family gatherings, parades, and, the Easter Lily meaning. Its beautiful trumpet-shaped blossoms symbolize purity, hope, and life, the spiritual essence of Easter and all the promises of spring. Lilies are mostly given along with Easter flowers. Lilies are sometimes affectionately called the "white-robed apostles of hope." They are rumored to be found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ's atonement was performed there. Gracing millions of homes and churches, the flowers embody joy, hope and life. The lily serves as a beautiful reminder that Easter is a time for rejoicing and celebrating.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aurelia_Fleur
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-History
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Lilium longiflorum
Lilium longiflorum, (Japanese:テッポウユリ, Teppouyuri), often called the Easter lily, is a plant endemic to the Ryukyu Islands (Japan). Lillium formosana, a closely related species from Taiwan, has been treated as a variety of Easter lily in the past. It is a stem rooting lily, growing up to 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) high. It bears a number of trumpet shaped, white, fragrant, and outward facing flowers.
A variety of it, L. longiflorum var. eximium, native to the Ryukyu Islands, is taller and more vigorous. It is extensively cultivated for cut flowers. It has irregular blooming periods in nature, and this is exploited in cultivation, allowing it to be forced for flowering at particular periods, such as Easter. However, it can be induced to flower over a much wider period. This variety is sometimes called the Bermuda lily because it has been much cultivated in Bermuda.
From the 1890s to the early 1920s, there was a thriving export trade of bulbs from Bermuda to New York. A disease affected the Bermuda lilies: this was identified by Lawrence Ogilvie. In 1903, USDA Agricultural Research Services (ARS) started to distribute disease free plant materials and seeds. The agency also started a breeding program, and released one of the first dwarf cultivars for potted-plant production in 1929.[1] Prior to USDA's effort, lily bulbs in general were largely imported from Japan before 1940s. The supply of bulbs was suddenly cut off after the attack on Pearl Harbor and Easter lilies became extremely valuable in the United States.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_longiflorum
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All images are copyright � Lucinda Walter. The materials contained may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or downloaded in any way, shape or form. All rights are reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistribution of any of these images without written permission from the Artist is strictly prohibited.
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April 25th, 2014
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Comments (47)
Gary F Richards
Amazing composition, lighting, shading, color and artwork! F/L …voted in the COVID - 19 NATIONAL AND GLOBAL MEMORIAL contest
Nick Boren
And I think you have a most beautiful floral image as well dear Lucinda... I hope your doing well down there in the beautiful desert SW... ;-) FV
Lucinda Walter
Thank you very much Frank J Casella for the featured in the group CATHOLIC ART GALLERY 3/29/2016 I'm honored.
Lucinda Walter
Thank you very much Geordie Gardiner for the featured in the group Christian Theme Artwork Group 3/28/2016 I'm honored.
Lucinda Walter
Thank you very much Bob and Nadine Johnston for the featured in the group Artist News 3/28/2016 I'm honored.
Frank J Casella
Lucinda -- CONGRATULATIONS!! Your beautiful artwork has been Featured by the - CATHOLIC ART GALLERY - group on Fine Art America, a Pixels.com Company! Thank you for sharing it !!
Lucinda Walter
Thank you very much Dawn Currie for the featured in the group Christian Art and Photography 3/27/2016 I'm honored. Happy EASTER!
Lucinda Walter
Thank you very much Jilian Cramb - AMothersFineArt for the featured in the group In GOD We Trust 3/27/2016 I'm honored. Happy EASTER!
Dawn Currie
Lucinda, Congratulations on your feature in the Christian Art and Photography Group - celebrating and sharing our faith in Jesus Christ. God Bless!
Lucinda Walter replied:
Dawn, thank you very much for this feature. Happy Easter and God Bless to you also!
Jilian Cramb - AMothersFineArt
3/27/16 Congratulations your work is featured in the FAA Group In GOD We Trust! Happy Easter!!
Lucinda Walter
Thank you very much Vickie Emms for the featured in the group NOTEWORTHY3/24/2016 I'm honored
Vickie Emms
Congratulations on being featured in NOTEWORTHY group Easter Lilies and Easter Eggs theme. Have a Happy Easter! 25/03/16