believe that because this lily grows near bodies of clean water, harming the lily may damage the environment, just like breaking the bowls that people rely on. An alternative explanation is that parents convince children into not taking the lily by convincing the children that their dinner bowls may break if they destroy this flower. In Western Christianity, Madonna lily or Lilium candidum has been associated with the Virgin Mary since at least the Medieval Era. Medieval and Renaissance depictions of the Virgin Mary, especially at the Annunciation, often show her with these flowers. Madonna lilies are also commonly included in depictions of Christ's resurrection. Lilium longiflorum, the Easter lily, is a symbol of Easter, and Lilium candidum, the Madonna lily, carries a great deal of symbolic value in many cultures. See the articles for more information. Heraldry The fleur-de-lis, associated primarily with French royalty, is a stylized lily flower. Lilium bulbiferum has long been recognised as a symbol of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland. Lilium mackliniae is the state flower of Manipur. Lilium michauxii, the Carolina lily, is the official state flower of North Carolina. Idyllwild, California, hosts the Lemon Lily Festival, which celebrates Lilium parryi. Lilium philadelphicum is the floral emblem of Saskatchewan province in Canada, and is on the flag of Saskatchewan. Other plants referred to as lilies Lily of the valley, flame lilies, daylilies, and water lilies are symbolically important flowers commonly referred to as lilies, but they are not in the genus Lilium. See also Lily seed germination types List of plants known as lily Explanatory notes References Citations Bibliography "yuri ユリ", in , digested from Shin shikunshi. Seika-en Sanjin 精花園山人 "Hana-yuri 花百合", in External links The Plant List Online Lily Register, over 9400 entries Lilium North American Lily Society Royal Horticultural Society Lily Group 1 2 3 Time-lapse videos THE GENUS LILIUM Lily perenialization, Flower Bulb Research Program, Department of Horticulture, Cornell University Crossing polygon of the genus Lilium. Bulb flower production » Lilies, International Flower Bulb Centre Lily Picture Book, International Flower Bulb Centre Flora Flora Europaea: Lilium Flora of China: Lilium Flora of Nepal: Lilium species list Flora of North America: Lilium Bulbous plants Garden plants Liliaceae genera Root vegetables Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus