Lilac

Includes: Syringa, family Oleaceae

Folk Names: Argavá (Ladino), Lila (Ladino), Myya / מײַ (Yiddish), Lilakh / לילך (Hebrew)
Scientific Names: Syringa Vulgaris

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Additional Notes: divider

A typical west country belief (though not confined to that area, apparently) is that it is very unlucky to take Lilac into the house, for “to carry furze flowers into the house [is] carrying death for one of the family”. There are other similar sayings of the “gorse in, coffin out” variety for many white flowers, like snowdrops and white lilac, believed to cause death if brought into the house. This belief is so widespread, however, that there is no point in trying to localize it, and it can be applied to almost any white flower; in Herefordshire, they say that lilac and laburnum mourn if any tree of the same kind is cut down near them, and it was believed that they would not bloom the following year; Lilac has been called “May”, and “Mayflower” is a name given to it and at least eight other plants as folk names.

'Elsevier’s Dictionary of Plant Lore' by Donald Watts

Lilac is one of the earliest flowers to bloom in spring, and its roots must break through the cold earth to pull energy out of the dormant land. The towering, lush Lilac bush draws life from the earth until, finally, tender leaves and buds begin to form on its woody stems. The scent of Lilac is so pungent that it draws the bees out and welcomes the ecosystem back to life.

Some Jews living in Europe before the Shoah used to pick Lilacs to adorn their homes on Shabbat. Several Yizkor books mention that Lilacs bloom between Passover and Shavuot; through the ages, many Jews have enjoyed decorating their homes with fresh flowers and Yizkor narratives are full of descriptions of flowers that are nrought inside to beautify Jewish homes, especially on Shabbat and Shavuot.

Lilac is the flower of dreams and memories. Of heartbreak and remembrance; the dreams and memories that stir deep within us can be joyful, but also painful.

'The Jewish Book of Flowers' by Naomi Spector

Drives away evil where planted, and was planted prolifically in New England to keep evil from properties in particular. Flowers inside a house haunted by a Spirit can drive the spirit away.

'Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs' by Scott Cunningham

White lilacs were considered a sign of death. In the 1960's, florists in the Midlands recorded as strongly advising against giving them white Lilacs to the sick; this belief was recorded as still being prevalent in Essex in 1983.

In Europe, several species of plants are also referred to as 'Saint John's Wort' - including the Common Lilac (Syringa Vulgaris).

'Compendium of Symbolic and Ritual Plants in Europe' by Marie Claire Lejeune and Marcel de Cleene

The heavenly scent of lilac feels delicate and as though it could disappear in an instant, but it actually lasts for quite a long time [... It] blooms in late spring, like a final gift before the heat of summer [...] There are some who believe lilacs are bad luck, but I have never found this to be true. Having lilacs growing in or around your home will bring in positive vibes and joyful energies. [She] is Magically potent with positive energy, but her high frequency can be too much for those who haven’t done much inner work [...] But if you’ve been practicing self-love and growth Magic for a while, you will find that lilac is smart, witty, and carries divine wisdom.

'Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants' by Juliet Diaz