Why do we give a sprig of lily of the valley on May Day?
Where does the lily of the valley custom come from?
First of May 1561: first sprig of lily of the valley
King Charles IX received a sprig of lily of the valley and decided to give it to the ladies of the court every year. Was this the beginning of a tradition, the birth of the custom of the lily of the valley?
French Revolution: the red rose hip
At the time, lilies of the valley were not associated with May Day, but with the "republican day" of 7 Floréal (24 April).
The red rosehip is associated with both May Day and workers.
End of the 19th century: lily of the valley makes a gradual comeback.
Singer-songwriter Félix Mayol wore a sprig of lily of the valley on the lapel of his jacket on his first stage. It was a huge success, and the singer recalled in his memoirs that the sprig of lily of the valley brought him good luck and helped to revive the custom.
On 1 May 1900, the great Parisian couturiers organised a party. Every woman received a sprig of lily of the valley. It was a great success, and was to be repeated every year.
1941: The lily of the valley is officially associated with Labour Day
Marshal Pétain associated the lily of the valley with "the festival of work and social harmony".
White bells are preferred to red rosehips, which are considered too associated with the left and communism.
Today :
Lily of the valley sprigs are considered good luck charms.
We give it to our loved ones on 1 May.
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Lily of the valley Marseille soap 250g packaged with a sprig of artificial lily of the valley
Anecdotes 1 :
The lily of the valley was Christian Dior's favourite flower.
He often wore them in his buttonhole for good luck. The lily of the valley became the emblem of the "Maison Christian Dior".
In 1954, he devoted an entire collection to his favourite flower.
Anecdote 2:
The lily of the valley is the emblem of Toulon rugby club, in homage to the music hall singer Félix Mayol.
Did you know?
The blossoming of the lily of the valley has always signalled the return of fine weather.
It is picked at the end of April in damp, shady areas.
It is a highly toxic flower that should not be ingested.
