On nearly every street corner in France, vendors are selling plants, sprigs and bouquets of lily of the valley. Everywhere people trade gifts of sweet-smelling muguet with their friends and loved ones.
This charming flower-giving tradition dates back to 1561 when King Charles IX decided that lily of the valley (muguet in French) should be offered on May 1 as a sign of good luck. Since then, people throughout the country have been offering the fragrant blooms to friends, loved ones and relatives to bid them a lucky year.As the flower became a gift rewarding virtue and good conscience, it is said that when the world was created, lily of the valley grew on both sides of the Gates of Paradise and that its little bells rang whenever a good soul went through the door. In the Middle Ages, May was the month for couples to get engaged and the tradition was to hook blades of lily of the valley above the door of one’s loved one. Lily of the valley has long been a symbol of renewal and spring, and it is fitting that it became a symbol of happiness and good luck.
Joyeux Le Jour du Mai !
Happy May Day!
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