Peace lilies make an excellent choice for indoor or outdoor plants, whether you’re looking for a low-maintenance addition to your office or a touch of greenery at home. They are well-suited for typical indoor environments and can even thrive in low light conditions. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, peace lilies bring a sense of tranquility and purity to your living space, embodying the essence of peace.
Peace Lily Meaning
Peace lilies are among the most beloved houseplants in the United States. They have a long history as symbols of peace, often seen at funerals and in hospital rooms to bring a sense of calm and serenity. The plant is sometimes known as the “lily of the valley” or “the hand-holding flower” due to its intricate leaves that resemble hands reaching upwards. The name of this flower carries both symbolic importance and meaning. It derives from the Latin word “Pax,” which translates to “peace.”
The peace lily belongs to the genus Spathiphyllum, which comprises approximately 40 species of flowering plants in the Araceae family. Commonly, these plants are referred to as spath or peace lilies. Amongst the various species, Spathiphyllum cochlearispathum and Spathiphyllum wallisii are favored by florists and houseplant enthusiasts.
The peace lily is not associated with just one meaning; it holds a wealth of symbolism with diverse interpretations across different cultures. If you want to grow your peace lilies in water then check out my recent article How To Grow Peace Lily In Water ( In 7 Steps ).
Purity
Peace lilies are renowned for their air-purifying qualities, effectively removing impurities from the environment. While their impact on outdoor air quality is minimal, indoors, they excel at enhancing air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. Although peace lilies only produce oxygen during the day.
Tranquility
Around the globe, the peace lily is universally linked with feelings of calmness and peacefulness. This symbolism arises from the plant’s white flowers, which are often associated with peace, much like the white flags that are raised worldwide as a symbol of truce.
Offering a peace lily to someone with whom you aim to mend a longstanding disagreement is a lovely way to facilitate reconciliation. This gesture carries a strong potential for fostering new friendships. If you want to make fertilizer for your peace lilies then check out my recent article ( Top 6 ) Homemade Fertilizers For Peace Lilies.
Beauty And Youth
Peace lilies are undeniably beautiful. Their delicate white flowers and vibrant green leaves make these tropical plants truly breathtaking. The plant’s beauty has served as a metaphor for the allure of romantic passions in literature. Offering a peace lily can be a lovely gesture to convey how captivating and cherished someone is to you.
Innocence
The white peace lily’s association with purity and innocence dates back to its color, which symbolizes these qualities. In Christianity, it represents the purity of the Virgin Mary. Additionally, it signifies the emotional intelligence and virtuous nature of women. This flower is often used to symbolize the purity and goodness of departed individuals and can be given to new mothers to represent a child’s innocence. Overall, the peace lily is a meaningful choice to depict someone of sincere and kind-hearted nature.
If someone appears in your dream holding a peace lily, it may indicate that you perceive them as a genuinely kind and well-intentioned individual in your subconscious mind. This positive dream could reflect your deep trust in that person. If you want to use coffee grounds for your peace lilies then check out my recent article Coffee Grounds For Peace Lilies ( 7 Pros & Cons ).
Virtue
Within Christianity, the Peace Lily holds a profound symbolism. It represents chastity and virtue and is closely linked to the pure and virtuous nature of the Virgin Mary. This association extends to the delicate and gentle characteristics often attributed to women. As such, gifting a Peace Lily is a thoughtful choice when celebrating a woman’s marriage and the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Hope
The beautiful peace lily often symbolizes hope, rooted in its representation of peace. According to Feng Shui principles, peace lilies have a calming and harmonizing effect on a space’s energy, promoting feelings of optimism and harmony. The plant’s enduring growth is another embodiment of hope, signifying that there are many wonderful and promising things to look forward to in life.
When given as a gift, peace lilies carry a message of hope, making them a thoughtful present for new parents. They serve as a loving reminder of the baby’s bright future and inspire hope in the parents for their child’s success. Gifting this flower to someone you care about conveys a similar message of encouragement and positivity. It signifies that even in challenging times when everything may seem bleak, there is room for improvement.
Dreams featuring peace lilies might subconsciously encourage you not to give up and to persevere through difficult situations, whether in your marriage or your career. As an extension of this belief, many people believe that placing peace lilies in vases around the house can help maintain motivation and a positive outlook.
Wealth And Prosperity
As previously mentioned, the peace lily is renowned for its large cup-like spathes and lush green leaves. When provided with proper care, whether grown indoors or outdoors, it can bloom consistently throughout the year, retaining its vibrant color and appearance. It is no wonder that this plant is often associated with notions of success and prosperity.
Spiritual Healing
Peace lilies are also deeply connected to healing and achieving a balanced state of mind for a more peaceful and harmonious life. Their year-round growth and blooming symbolize their adaptability, which has been linked to the healing powers of the divine in various religions. Offering a peace lily as a gift can be a meaningful gesture to someone recovering from illness, symbolizing their progress and brighter days ahead. Similarly, it can be a source of solace and encouragement to a loved one facing life’s challenges, reassuring them that things will improve.
It’s worth noting that several indoor plants, including peace lilies, have been shown to expedite the recovery of hospital patients and alleviate both physical and emotional discomfort.
Rebirth
As mentioned earlier in this guide, peace lilies bloom continuously and have a long lifespan. Due to their year-round growth, many people associate these plants with the idea of resurrection, akin to the spiritual rebirth and separation from earthly life symbolized by Jesus Christ. In essence, a peace lily plant signifies the renewal of the soul and its transition beyond worldly existence.
Empathy
Peace lilies have a longstanding tradition of conveying sympathy, as they symbolize well-wishes and peace. You’ve likely encountered peace lilies being offered as a gesture of condolence to the grieving family when someone passes away. They serve as a gentle way to express sympathy to those who have experienced a loss and also serve as a living tribute to the departed. Peace lilies are among the top flower choices for sending condolences to someone who has recently lost a loved one.
Longevity
Peace lilies are tropical perennials, meaning they can thrive for more than two years with proper care. In fact, these plants can live for many years, with some specimens reaching ages of over 10 to even 20 years under ideal conditions. This enduring quality of the peace lily has made it a symbol of longevity. If you wish to convey your hopes for someone to enjoy a long and healthy life, gifting a peace lily can be a wonderful choice.
Peace Lily Symbolism
The peace lily holds significant spiritual and religious symbolism. Renowned for its ability to bring harmony and serenity to a space, it’s a favored plant in Feng Shui, especially valued for its air-purifying qualities. While the peace lily can create a calming ambiance in various locations, it’s most commonly found in offices and bedrooms. In Feng Shui, placing it in the southwest corner of a room is believed to symbolize marriage and partnerships, potentially enhancing the overall harmony in your home.
Moreover, the peace lily carries Christian symbolism. Although it didn’t feature prominently in Victorian literature as it arrived in Europe in the late 1800s, it does have a role in Christianity. Some interpret the plant as a representation of Christ’s resurrection from the dead, leading to its occasional presence in Easter flower arrangements. Others view the peace lily as a symbol of the purity and innocence associated with the Virgin Mary.
Peace Lily Symbolism In Christianity
The Peace Lily’s presence in Europe during the late 1800s left little room for mentions in Victorian literature. However, in Christianity, the Peace Lily does hold significance.
For some, it symbolizes Christ’s triumphant resurrection, and as a result, it is occasionally showcased during Easter.
Others associate the Peace Lily with the purity and innocence of the Virgin Mary.
Peace Lily Symbolism In Feng Shui
The Peace Lily is highly regarded in Feng Shui for its capacity to infuse spaces with harmony and tranquility. Its air-purifying qualities enhance its value even further.
While the Peace Lily can create a serene ambiance in any room, it’s particularly favored in offices and bedrooms.
Placing a Peace Lily in the Southwest corner of a room, associated with marriage and relationships, is a favorable choice. While outcomes can’t be guaranteed, introducing a Peace Lily to the southwest corner of your living room may contribute to fostering harmony within your home.