Madonna Lilies are the only flowers in this article that are actual lilies. They belong to the family Lilium, which includes Tiger Lilies, Easter Lilies, Asiatic hybrids, and the like. Lilium are classified by their six petals and six stamens, with antlers on each flower. Nine Lilium divisions classify the flowers in this family; Madonna Lilies belong to the ninth, which includes flowers only in their pure, native form. These flowers have been worshiped for thousands of years and go by many names. In ancient Rome, it was called Jupiter's Rose, and steeped extract from the flower would be used for sore feet. In Greece, it was called the Flower of All Flowers. In Egypt, the flower was given to the goddess of fertility and motherhood, Isis. Through her marriage to their god of the underworld, Orisis, the flower was connected to the underworld. Madonna Lilies were also used medicinally in Egypt. As said by the University of Missouri, “The Egyptians crushed the bulbs of Madonna Lily and used the ointment as a treatment for inflammation, burns, and tumors.” Though the flowers of the Lilium family are known to be toxic to cats, the toxin itself is not completely known. Each color, of course, carries its own meaning. White Lilies are connected to rebirth, purity, innocence, peace, and serenity. White Lilies are commonly present in funeral or wedding bouquets. Red represents love, desire, passion, and courage. Yellow embodies wealth and prosperity, and orange is similar to red, with courage, strength, new blessings, optimism, and happiness. The meaning of blue lilies depends on the culture but is often purity or fertility. Finally, purple symbolizes royalty and majesty. 

Calla Lilies belong to the Araceae family and are more closely related to Titan Arum and Dracunculus Vulgaris, two types of corpse flowers, than they are to Lilium. This makes sense, since Calla Lilies contain the same toxin corpse flowers do: calcium oxalate. According to Poison Control, if the flower is consumed, “Painful burning of the lips, mouth/gums, tongue, and throat occurs immediately.” Though death or life-threatening symptoms are rare, the swelling of the throat and windpipe can cause breathing issues, which is not great. Luckily, calcium oxalate does not break down, so whole-body poisoning is not possible. The name of the flower itself, ‘calla,’ means beauty in Greek. Due to their frequent appearances in funeral bouquets, they are often associated with rebirth and resurrection. White Calla Lilies can also symbolize purity, faithfulness, innocence, and holiness. Red Calla Lilies are representative of courage and beauty, pink is symbolic of admiration and appreciation, and yellow represents thankfulness and gratitude. Purple Calla Lily’s symbolism is similar to true lilies, symbolizing charm, royalty, and passion. Last but not least, black Calla Lilies represent mystery and elegance. 

Lily of the Valley is a flower arguably popularized when they were added to Minecraft. They don’t have many uses in the game but, if made into a suspicious stew, poisons the player. Lily of the Valley, or Convallaria Majalis as it’s known scientifically, contains Convallatoxin, which can cause cardiac arrest, severe illness, and even death. Convallatoxin has been used in medicine but, when it is used for medicinal purposes, it is made in a lab and not taken by the flowers that produce it. All parts of the flower are toxic, but the roots are the most poisonous. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: fainting, vomiting, blurry vision, disorientation, weakness, lethargy, and irregular or slow heartbeat. Those who touch the flower could get a rash, blisters, and swelling. Lily of the Valley is the national flower of Finland and the birth flower of May. Though it is called a lily, it does not belong to the Lilium family. As writer Sarah Vallie says, “Lily of the Valley isn’t actually a lily. It’s from the Asparagaceae family, which, as the name suggests, also contains asparagus.” Lily of the Valley is shown in myths from Greece, Rome, Germany, and even the Bible. In general, Lily of the Valley symbolizes chastity, humility, motherhood, sweetness, and purity. 

Spider Lilies are popular flowers in East Asia, where they grow natively. In Japan, it is known as the Higanbana flower. There is a national park in Japan, Kinchakuda Manjushage Park in Hidaka, where millions of red Spider Lilies grow under trees. Red Spider Lilies are possibly the most abundant color of the flower. They symbolize last goodbyes, death, and sad memories. It is nicknamed the Flower of the Dead and is often planted next to graves. As naturalist Kelly Brenner puts it, “They were thought to have drawn in the blood of the dead, further tying them to death.” Of course, there are different colors, and, of course, they have different meanings and symbolism. White can represent positivity, freshness, and living life. Gold or yellow symbolizes wealth, courage, love, and wisdom. Blue Spider Lilies are associated with calmness, freedom, stability, and inspiration. What fun would it be if the Spider Lily was not toxic? The flower goes by Amaryllidaceae Lycoris scientifically and contains lycorine. Lycorine can cause nausea and vomiting, and the sap on the skin can cause irritation or rash.