Tiger Lily: The Flower That Dares You to Be Fearless
The tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium) is known for its bright orange, speckled, trumpet-shaped blooms. And for good reason—the flowers are gorgeous! In the language of flowers, tiger lilies symbolize wealth and prosperity. Their bold speckles are associated with signs of confidence and pride. In Buddhism, the tiger lily is a symbol of mercy and compassion. Read on to learn more about tiger lily’s meaning and symbolism.
Fierce Beauty with a Message
Tiger lilies earned their name from those distinctive spots that resemble a tiger’s markings. In flower symbolism, they represent confidence, pride, and wealth.
Victorian flower language enthusiasts would send tiger lilies to say, “I dare you to love me” – making them the bold, risk-taking daredevils of the flower world.
The Warrior Flower
In various Asian cultures, tiger lilies symbolize strength and warrior energy. Their upright stance and bold appearance connected them to courage and battlefield prowess.
Chinese soldiers sometimes carried dried tiger lily bulbs as protective talismans.
Money Magnets
In feng shui practices, tiger lilies are believed to attract prosperity and financial luck.
Their orange color (associated with wealth in Chinese tradition) and abundant blooms symbolize plentiful resources.
Some business owners plant them near entrances, hoping to draw in customers and cash flow.
The Hatred Warning
Here’s a surprising twist: Victorian flower dictionaries listed tiger lilies as symbols of hatred or disdain! Sending these flowers could deliver a profound message of contempt rather than affection.
The same eye-catching spots admired today once represented the “spotted” or “stained” reputation of the recipient. Talk about mixed messages – these gorgeous blooms were essentially the Victorian equivalent of a strongly worded email.
Fertility and Abundance
Tiger lilies symbolize fertility and abundance in many traditions due to their prolific growth habit and multiple blooms per stem.
Agricultural communities sometimes planted them around fields to encourage good harvests. Their bulbs multiply rapidly underground while their stems produce loads of flowers.
The Curse Breaker
Some folk traditions hold that tiger lilies can break curses and protect against evil.
Their bright orange color was thought to repel negative energies, while their spotted pattern supposedly confused malevolent spirits.
People would plant them around homes for protection and carry dried petals as lucky charms.
The Wealth Reminder
Tiger lilies symbolize sudden wealth or unexpected good fortune in some Asian traditions.
Their dramatic appearance and quick, abundant blooming period connected them to surprising prosperity. Plus, gamblers sometimes kept tiger lily petals in their pockets for luck.
Birthday Month Messenger
Lily flowers are July’s birth flower, representing the passionate, bold energy of summer at its peak.
People born in July supposedly share characteristics with these flowers—a striking appearance, resilient nature, and undeniable presence in any gathering!
Tiger Lily Myths and Folklore
Just take one look at the tiger lily’s beautiful flowers, and it’s hard to resist leaning in to smell them. However, one myth encourages you to practice caution before doing so.
Some people say smelling the tiger lily’s speckled flowers will lead you to develop freckles. While there isn’t any truth to this, it’s hard not to love a good myth.
Tiger Lily Symbolism in Buddhism
These bright flowers are viewed as symbols of compassion and mercy. They are also associated with femininity.
Tiger Lily Symbolism in Japan
In Japan, the language of flowers is known as Hanakotoba.
Here, the tiger lily is viewed as a symbol of wealth. Therefore, it is often given to individuals during graduations, new homes, and new jobs.
Suitable Gifting Occasions
These bright flowers are appropriate gifts for a variety of occasions. Since they are viewed as symbols of wealth and prosperity, they are great gifts for graduations, jobs, and homes.
Tiger lily’s link to pride means they are also suitable gifts when you are proud of someone. Consider gifting them to someone who just completed a performance, finished a big project at work, or did the hard work of renovating their home.
The bright tiger lily flowers can also be good gifts for everyday occasions like birthdays, graduations, and illnesses. The bold orange flowers will surely put a smile on almost anyone’s face!
The Final Word
The tiger lily’s bold orange color and dramatic speckles make for a show-stopping appearance. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the flowers symbolize confidence, pride, and wealth.
Briana holds a B.S. in Plant Sciences from Penn State University. She manages a small market garden where she grows vegetables and herbs. She also enjoys growing flowers and houseplants at home.