Lily Tattoo Meaning: Purity, Rebirth and What Each Colour Means

Short answer: a lily tattoo usually means purity, renewal and devotion, and it is often chosen for a mother, a new beginning or someone who has passed away. In Greek myth lilies grew from drops of the goddess Hera’s milk, in Christian art the white Madonna lily is the flower of the Virgin Mary and the Easter lily stands for resurrection, and the French fleur-de-lis is a stylised lily. In China the lily (百合, bǎihé) is a wedding flower that wishes a couple “a hundred years together”. Colour changes the meaning: white for purity and remembrance, pink for love, orange for confidence and red for passion.

The lily is one of the oldest flowers in art, and it is easy to confuse with several other flowers that share its name. Here is what it means, which “lilies” are not really lilies, and how to design one that heals well.

Purity, renewal and devotion

True lilies grow from bulbs that sit underground all winter and send up tall stems every spring, so the flower has long been a symbol of new life and fresh starts. Its large, clean, open petals made it the classic flower of purity and innocence. Lilies are also given at both weddings and funerals: they can celebrate a new chapter, or honour someone at the end of theirs. As a tattoo, a lily can mean a new beginning after a hard time, love for a mother or child, faith, or a quiet memorial.

Greek myth: Hera and the Milky Way

In one Greek story, Zeus brought the baby Heracles to drink from his sleeping wife Hera so that the child would become immortal. When Hera woke and pushed him away, her milk sprayed across the sky and became the Milky Way, and the drops that fell to earth grew into white lilies. Because of this, the lily was linked with Hera, the queen of the gods and goddess of marriage and motherhood. See our Greek gods guide for more about her.

Christianity: Mary, Easter and the fields

In Christian art the white Madonna lily (Lilium candidum) is the flower of the Virgin Mary. In paintings of the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel often holds a lily as he tells Mary she will have a child. The white trumpet-shaped Easter lily is used to decorate churches at Easter, so it stands for resurrection and hope. Jesus also told his listeners to “consider the lilies of the field”, which do not work or worry yet are dressed more beautifully than a king, so a lily can be a reminder to trust and not to worry. For other faith symbols, see our religious and spiritual symbols guide.

The fleur-de-lis and China’s hundred-year union

The fleur-de-lis (“lily flower” in French) is a stylised three-petal flower used for centuries by the kings of France, and it still appears in coats of arms, Scouting badges and city logos such as New Orleans. Some historians think the original flower was an iris rather than a lily, but it has always been called a lily. In China, the lily’s name bǎihé (百合) sounds like the wedding blessing 百年好合, “a happy union for a hundred years”, so lilies are popular in bridal bouquets and make a meaningful couples’ tattoo.

Lily colours

In modern flower language, colour changes the message:

• White: purity, peace, sympathy and remembrance.
• Pink: love, admiration and femininity. The pink stargazer lily is one of the most popular varieties.
• Orange (tiger lily): confidence, pride and energy.
• Red: passion and deep love.
• Yellow: happiness, friendship and gratitude.

These meanings come mostly from modern florists rather than ancient tradition, so choose the colour that feels right to you.

Lilies that aren’t lilies

Several popular tattoo flowers are called lilies but belong to other plant families:

• Spider lily (higanbana in Japan): a red flower with long curling stamens that blooms around the autumn equinox, when Japanese families visit graves. It is linked with death, farewell and the afterlife, so it is a very different choice from a true lily. You can read about other Japanese flowers in our Japanese motifs guide.
• Calla lily: a smooth single trumpet, popular in weddings, meaning elegance and beauty.
• Water lily: a floating flower close to the lotus. See our lotus guide for the difference.
• Lily of the valley: tiny white bells on a stem, often listed as the May birth flower, meaning sweetness and the return of happiness.

If you bring a reference photo, check which flower it really shows before you book.

Design and placement

• Style: fine line suits a single long-stemmed lily, black-and-grey realism shows the curve and shadow of the petals, and colour or red-ink work makes the flower bold.
• Details: the long stamens are what make a lily look like a lily, so make sure they are big enough to stay clear. Very thin petals with no outline can blur over the years.
• Red ink: red is the ink most often linked with allergic reactions. It is rare, but if you have sensitive skin, read our ink allergy guide and ask your artist about a patch test.
• Combinations: a lily with a heart, a name or date, a cross or a rosary, or other flowers such as roses and peonies in a bouquet.
• Placement: a tall stem suits the forearm, spine, ribs or calf, and a bouquet fits the upper arm or shoulder. See our upper arm tattoo price guide for sizes and costs.

At GOAT Tattoo Studio

Our gallery includes an anatomical heart with lilies on an upper arm: a black dotwork-shaded heart with red veins running across it, two red lilies and leafy red sprigs growing from the top, and small four-point sparkles and dots around it. In a consultation we can help you choose the flower, colour and size, and plan a design that combines the lily with your own symbols.

Want a delicate flower design in Hanoi? Our fine line and small tattoo page shows prices, the artists who work in this style and recent work.