Lily Tattoo Meaning
The white lily has been a sacred flower for centuries. In tattooing it speaks of purity, faith, rebirth and remembrance.
Purity and the Virgin Mary
In Christian art the white lily is the flower of the Virgin Mary — so closely that it is called the Madonna lily. In paintings of the Annunciation the archangel Gabriel often holds a lily as he brings Mary the news. A lily beside a Madonna or an angel carries this meaning of purity and grace.
Rebirth and resurrection
The Easter lily blooms in spring and has become a symbol of the resurrection of Christ and of new life. A lily tattoo can mark a new beginning after a hard period.
Remembrance
White lilies are among the most common funeral flowers, a sign that the soul of the person who has died has returned to innocence and peace. Lilies with a name or a date are a common memorial tattoo.
Other lilies
The tiger lily, with its spotted orange petals, stands for confidence and boldness. The calla lily, with its single elegant curve, stands for beauty and refinement. In black and grey these differences are carried by the shape of the petals and the spots.
Lily Tattoo Questions
What does a lily tattoo symbolize?
Purity, faith, rebirth and remembrance.
Why is the lily connected to the Virgin Mary?
The white lily is her traditional flower in Christian art and appears in paintings of the Annunciation.
What does a tiger lily tattoo mean?
Confidence, boldness and pride.