CALLE: THE MEANING OF THESE ELEGANT AND REFINED FLOWERS

When you decide to give flowers, you have to be careful what meaning is hidden behind them. In fact, over the course of history, depending on the culture and country of reference, the different floral species have become a symbol of very different concepts and feelings. Some refer to passionate love, others to pure and devotional love, still others to friendship or maternal affection. Today we discover in detail what is the meaning of calla lilies, flowers that have always been loved for their unmistakable shape and elegance.

The calla in mythology

We start talking about the calla already in Greek mythology. According to various legends, this flower would have originated from drops of milk poured on the Earth from the breast of the goddess Hera, considered the protector deity of marriage. Other drops of the same milk would have given rise to the Milky Way galaxy in the sky. In doing so, since ancient times these flowers had taken on the meaning of chaste love, purity and femininity, as well as that of beauty, since their name derives from "kalos", an adjective which in Greek means, in fact,"nice'.

In the "Old Testament" we see the calla originated from the tears of Eve when she is forced to leave Eden with her husband Adam, while in Roman mythology these floral species were considered as one of the phallic symbols par excellence and, therefore, of lust. This connotation would derive from its "conical" shape with a pistil in the center different from those of many other flowers, called spadix. Its origin derives from a curse of the goddess Venus who, envious of the beauty of this variety, decided to "make it ugly" with that "yellow inflorescence similar to a spike.

Therefore, it can be seen how, in different centuries, the calla have become emblems of beauty, purity, eroticism and fertility.

The meaning of calla lilies in religion

Even in the world of religion, the calla lend themselves to a rich symbolism. According to the most accredited tradition, they are the flower par excellence of purity, divine bliss, candor and holiness. This is because in the Christian iconography the calla would have its origin from the tears shed by the Virgin Mary at the foot of the cross of Jesus. Hence the custom of often painting this flower on the mantle of the Madonna, as a symbol of chastity and divine power.

According to other versions, the calla was used by the Archangel Gabriel to announce the day of the Resurrection. This correspondence arises from the particular shape of the flower that recalls that of a trumpet. Thus, the flower also takes on the meaning of rebirth, new beginning. and eternity.

All the meanings of the calla today

We have been able to notice how, depending on the epoch and the historical period, the calla has become a symbol of concepts that are also different from each other. Given this rich symbolism, we have gathered all the meanings that this species still has today, according to the theories of language. some flowers.

Purity
Fidelity
Beauty
Eroticism
Rebirth
Youth
Friendship

Colors and uses

In the language of flowers, their meaning also varies according to their color. Let's see in detail all those concerning the calla lilies and how they are used or to whom they are given according to their shades.

White: already in the theory of colors, white represents purity and whiteness and this is confirmed in the case of white calla lilies. These flowers are perfect for a bride's bouquet and / or to decorate the spaces of a wedding reception. Here the calla is an emblem of fidelity, pure and maternal love and prosperity.
Red: Not always easy to find, the red calla symbolizes passion, lust and eroticism. The meaning of "phallic" derivation of the flower and the power of the red color mean that it is exchanged within a couple in full love.
Pink: the calla lilies of this shade indicate femininity, fertility, admiration and affection. They are suitable as a gift to a close relative, like a mother.
Orange: these are the streets of courage, desire and lightness, ideal to be given as a gift among friends.
Yellow: as happens for the sunflower, yellow is the color of friendship and, thus, the yellow calla also take this meaning, in addition to that of youth, carefree and rebirth.
Purple: Most purple flowers refer to grief and sadness and the same happens for calla lilies. Not surprisingly, the purple streets are used as decorations for funeral ceremonies.