May Birth Flower: Lily of the Valley — Meaning, Symbolism & Gift Ideas
What Is May's Birth Flower?
May's birth flower is lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), a woodland perennial prized for its delicate bell-shaped flowers and intoxicating sweet fragrance. Despite its name, it is not actually a lily — it belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) and grows in cool, shaded forests across the Northern Hemisphere.
Lily of the valley blooms in May, carpeting woodland floors with rows of tiny white bells that hang from arching stems. It is one of the most fragrant flowers in existence — a single sprig can perfume an entire room — and that sensory power has made it a symbol of purity and refined elegance for centuries.
Royal connections abound: it featured prominently in Queen Elizabeth II's wedding bouquet and is the national flower of Finland. In France, May 1st (La Fete du Muguet) is a national tradition where people give small bundles of lily of the valley as tokens of happiness and good luck — a tradition with roots reaching back to the 16th century.
What Does Lily of the Valley Symbolize?
Lily of the valley symbolizes the return of happiness, purity, and good fortune. This deceptively simple-looking bloom carries a deep symbolic vocabulary:
- Return of happiness — the primary meaning in Victorian floriography; it announces that joy is on its way back
- Humility — the drooping bells of lily of the valley suggest a bowed head, an ancient posture of modesty and gratitude
- Purity and innocence — the white flowers carry the same connotations as many white blooms, but with a woodland freshness
- Good fortune — especially in French and Germanic traditions, it is a flower of luck
- Sweetness — the extraordinary fragrance has made it an emblem of pleasant, subtle beauty
In Christian symbolism, lily of the valley is called "Our Lady's Tears" — legend holds that the flower sprang from the tears Mary shed at the foot of the cross. This gives the bloom an additional layer of gentle, heartfelt poignancy.
Why Is Lily of the Valley a Great Birthday Gift for May?
May birthdays arrive at the peak of spring — when lily of the valley is actually blooming, gardens are in full flush, and the world feels most alive. A lily of the valley-inspired gift honors that moment with something more lasting than fresh-cut flowers.
Personalized Birth Flower Jewelry
A personalized birth flower necklace featuring lily of the valley's distinctive bell clusters is a gift that resonates deeply with May babies. The flower's associations with happiness, purity, and good fortune make it one of the most symbolically rich choices in the birth flower calendar.
For a truly special occasion, consider the Personalized Birth Flower Necklace in 18K Gold. The refined warmth of 18K gold complements lily of the valley's delicate elegance — the result is a piece that feels both precious and personal.
The Gift of Lasting Fragrance in Metal Form
Cut lily of the valley wilts within days, but a birth flower necklace captures its spirit permanently. It is a way of saying: "May you always have happiness returning to you" — in a form they can wear every day.
May's Secondary Birth Flower
May's secondary birth flower is the hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), a thorny shrub that blooms in late spring with clusters of white or pink flowers. Hawthorn symbolizes hope, love, and protection — and in Celtic tradition, it marked the boundary between the mortal world and the fairy realm. Its combination of thorns and blossoms has made it a powerful symbol of the coexistence of beauty and hardship.
Celebrate May in Style
Lily of the valley is a flower that arrives for a brief, brilliant window each year — here one season, gone the next, but always returning. For the May person in your life, a birth flower gift honors that cycle and the happiness they bring with them wherever they go.