Cut Calla Lilies
I bought these cut stems at Trader Joe's, so I know, I know, this isn't quite urban gardening...though I could argue that it's actually the best depiction of urban gardening since a vase of flowers is the closest many people get to it when living in a city. Regardless, I couldn't help posting a photo of these beautiful cut calla lilies, as they are abundantly in bloom now in Southern California. The calla lily is not actually from the lily family, and is native to South Africa and has been made famous is paintings by Diego Rivera and Georgia O'Keefe, two of my favorites.
Symbolism
Calla lilies are a symbol of beauty and sensuality (shapes and forms can be found within the flower that allude to both male and female genitalia.)
Calla lilies are often used at both weddings and funerals, so they serve both ends of the spectrum of rebirth of individuals as the enter a union, and also rebirth, or as some believe the resurrection, of an individual after leaving this world. In both situations the flower represents purity, rebirth, and a sense of celebration - the trumpet-like shape of the flower is thought to herald good fortune at weddings and funerals.
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