What are waterlilies

Waterlilies ~ are the quiet jewels of the pond. Their scientific name is “Nymphaea,” derived from the Greek word “nymph.” According to Greek mythology, Nymphaea means a feminine spirit that inhabited water bodies like wells, waterways, and springs. The history behind waterlilies dates back thousands of years, as they have always been very significant in many cultures worldwide.

Over 50 different species of water lilies are native to tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Their beauty is very short-lived, as they only bloom for around four days, which makes them even more special. Besides being one of the most beautiful flowers globally, waterlilies are featured in many cultures and religions. They also play a crucial role in the aquatic system. 

The flowers and their lily pads rest on the water’s surface, providing shade, food, and a hiding place for fish and other aquatic animals. Lily pads also offer a resting place for frogs, dragonflies, and other small, lightweight birds, such as the comb-crested jacana.

Once waterlily flowers have bloomed, they go underwater and transform into fruit. The seeds these fruits produce eventually grow and create a new flower that rises above the water, constantly reblooming.

The fruit that waterlilies produce is edible. In many parts of the world, water lilies are used for medicinal purposes, such as fevers and skin conditions. For example, the roots can make tea and oils to help with coughs and mouth ulcers.

Where do waterlilies grow

Waterlilies are found virtually everywhere globally and are the most photographed flower globally.  They grow in still or slowly moving waters, such as ponds, billabongs, lakes, and rivers in tropical and sub-tropical waterways.  They have thick stems deep in the mud below the water’s surface, which sprout long stalks up to the water’s surface, producing a single flower. Flowers range from white, cream, yellow, pink, red, purple, and blue. Waterlilies are perennial plants, meaning they flower every year, regrowing their leaves and flowers from their rhizomes when the water temperature is optimal.

Symbolism and meaning of waterlilies

However, there are many stories about the water lily. Some people believe it is a star that fell from the sky and turned into a flower. Others believe it represents freedom.

Water lilies are an important religious symbol in many parts of the world. The flowers represent ideas, emotions, beauty, sexuality, fertility, and enlightenment. However, the most significant meaning is optimism and rebirth, as these plants bloom in the waterways every year.

There are different meanings of waterlilies in various countries worldwide, based on specific cultures and practices. Some cultures’ symbolic meanings of waterlilies include optimism and rebirth. In addition, waterlilies are the July birth flower.

Egyptians

Significantly, the Egyptians consider the waterlily a sacred flower. They believe that the waterlily depicts the unity of people, representing the sun, a symbol of the circle of life, birth and death. The waterlily symbol is often seen in stone alters, parts of Egyptian temples, and pillars of monuments. Another key point is that the blue waterlily is called the Lily of the Nile and the flower of love. Many ancient Egyptian paintings are associated with naked women holding a blue water lily bud or flower. For this reason, the blue waterlily signifies a woman’s fertility, creation, and ability to produce children.

Asia 

In Asia, the water lily symbolises ‘universality” since the flower produces blossoms and fruits that help feed people.

Buddhists

For Buddhists, the water lily symbolises ‘enlightenment’ because the beautiful flower emerges from the dark, dirty mud. However, the different coloured water lilies have other representations. Accordingly, a red lily symbolizes love and passion. Purple symbolizes mystic power. White waterlilies signify mental purity. Finally, pink and blue lilies represent knowledge.

Hindus

For Hindus, the water lily symbolises resurrection.  Due to the water lily closing at night and reopening with the first ray of sun the next day, it blooms again. Furthermore, Hindus see waterlilies as a symbol of purity as, despite the water lily growing in muddy water, the flower grows clean, pure, and free of blemishes.

Christianity

Waterlilies symbolize purity and innocence and are associated with the Virgin Mary. They are also often used in bridal bouquets to represent love.

Bangladesh

The national flower of Bangladesh is the waterlily. Therefore, waterlilies are at every religious ceremony as they symbolise love and life.

‘The star of the art world’

The impressionist painter Claude Monet often used water lilies as the subject of his work. He painted over 250 paintings that featured waterlilies, several of which are his most famous works of art.

Meaning of each colour of the waterlily 

Pink – respect and femininity 

Orange – liveliness and confidence.

White – rebirth and purity, the revival of the soul

Pink – respect and femininity

Red – passion and love

Orange- liveliness and confidence

Purple – success and pride

Blue – romance 

The giant waterlily in the world

Victoria amazonica, or Giant water lily, found in the Amazon basin, is the world’s largest. They were first discovered in Bolivia in 1801 and are now indigenous to the Amazon River basin’s shallow waters. The enormous floating leaves are around 3 metres in diameter with a thick underwater stalk of up to 8 metres long.   They have thick rib-like ridges beneath the leaves, keeping the lily pads supported, flat and afloat. The underside of the lily pads has sharp spikes to protect them from being eaten by fish and other aquatic animals. The flowers are beautiful but only live for around 48 hours. This waterlily is the national flower of Guyana.

Please enjoy the short video of the Giant Amazonian Water Lily

All waterlilies, except for the Victoria Amazonica waterlily, were photographed from Mt Borradiale.