Easter flowers offer fragrant reminders of history and faith

In ancient days, winter was a time of starvation, sickness and death. Therefore, when the winter months were over, there was a time of great celebration. Buds were growing, flowers were blooming and birds' nests contained eggs, which were thought to be dead — and yet live birds hatched from them. And all these things rose up out of the seemingly dead earth.

In their joy over this renewal, the people celebrated with festivals, feasting and gifts of flowers and eggs. Over time, Europeans took on the Anglo-Saxon name for this festival, Eostre. Eostre, also spelled Eastre, was the great mother goddess, the goddess of all life.

And the Saxons thanked her each year for allowing them to survive another winter season.

According to Christian beliefs, Christ was crucified in the spring. He died, was buried for three days, and then came back to life. When early missionaries in Europe first taught the pagans, it was easier to explain the story of Christ by comparing it to the Eostre festival that they already understood. And, over time, the two celebrations became synonymous.

In modern times, some of these traditions still exist, although we usually don't know why. We still decorate eggs in beautiful colors and use them in displays throughout our homes. We celebrate rabbits which, because of their fertility, were considered a symbol of life. We give flowers, candies and eggs as gifts to our children. And we also still fill our homes with flowers — the beautiful flowers of spring and Eostre.

Traditionally, in Russia and the United Kingdom, the pussy willow was given as a symbol of Eostre and spring, and in Europe, the narcissus was popular. However, for the Christians, the Lillium candidum was the flower of choice because it symbolized Christ, specifically.

Few people were able to read at that time, and so, in paintings, symbols were used to let viewers know who the subject was. The Lillium candidum, now known as the Madonna lily, was first used in early paintings to symbolize Christ. It was claimed that the flowers first sprang up from the drops of Christ's blood that fell when he hung on the cross, and they returned each year from dead ground. They also falsely believed the stem grew in three days. The rich, satiny white flowers (white meant purity) naturally bloomed around Easter time in the Middle East. And before hybridization, there were usually only three flower buds, which symbolized the Holy Trinity. Over time, this lily also was used to symbolize Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The Madonna lily is still one of the most popular Easter flowers. The white trumpet lily (Lillium longiflorum) is another favorite these days, and most people can't tell the difference. Other modern favorites are daffodils, tulips and hibiscus. In our area, none of these would naturally bloom so early in the year. Therefore, nurseries plant them in pots and manipulate their climate so the plant thinks it's time to bloom. This will throw off their schedules a bit, but that can be remedied if you wish to save your bulbs.

When you are choosing a potted bulb for decorating, try to get one that has buds that haven't opened yet. These will last longer in your home. Also, as soon as the buds open, remove the anthers (the small rods with the pollen on them) of the lilies. Again, this will help the flower last longer. Place the plant in a bright location, free from drafts. Keep the soil slightly moist but not wet. Once they have finished blooming, you can throw them away. Or, except for the tulips — you can save them and plant them out in the garden.

If you plan to keep it, cut off the spent flowers and any seed pods, but leave the green stem and leaves. Keep it watered and give it liquid fertilizer about every two weeks. In late May, plant it in your garden in a bright sunny location. Keep watering and feeding it until the stem dies back and the plant goes dormant. At that time, cut it back to the ground. It may not bloom the following year, but by the second year, it should have corrected its timing.

The daisy is another flower that was used to symbolize Christ. The story is that the Wise Men recognized the stable where Jesus was born because these flowers, which looked like the star they had been following, grew all around the place.

Easter is a wonderful time of the year. It is a time of renewal, new life and forgiveness. And certainly a time for which we should rejoice. And what better way to celebrate than to fill your home with the beautiful vibrant shades of the flowers reminiscent of traditions of long ago?

Mary Stickley-Godinez is The Daily Progress' gardening columnist.