VIth Century folklore

In a French legend dating back to the 6th Century, Saint Leonard -Leonard of Noblac- who was a friend of King Clovis, lived the Vienne Valley, near Limoges. Both Leonard and the King were converted to Christianity at Christmas 496AD. Following this event, Leonard wanted to spend the rest of his life as a hermit in the woods for there, amongst the wildflowers and the trees of the Vienne Valley, Leonard felt closer to God than anywhere else.

In the woods also lived a mighty dragon called Temptation. The dragon was not happy to share the woods.

So, Temptation called upon St. Leonard to leave. When he refused to obey, the dragon blew flames in anger, burning down the Saint’s dwelling. The two fought long and hard. Terrible battles took place between the saint and the dragon. A great deal of blood was spilled upon the wood’s leafy floor. When finally Saint Leonard defeated Temptation, poisonous weeds grew where the dragon’s blood had been spilled, while beds of lilies-of-the-valley appeared wherever the blood of Saint Leonard had touched the ground.

What Do Lily of the Valley Flowers Symbolize?

The lily of the valley is often viewed as a symbol of rebirth and humility, chastity, purity, sweetness, and motherhood. In Christianity, the flowers are a transformation of Eve's tears when she was banished from the Garden of Eden. In Pagan beliefs it is said that the lilies of the valley can protect gardens from evil spirits and the flowers can be used as a charm to guard against the spells of witches.

Generally, Lily of the Valley flowers are a symbol of spring, thought to bring luck in love but can also symbolize a return of happiness.

May 1st, La Fête du Muguet

May 1st knows its origin in the pagan Feast of Beltane celebrated in Celtic times about halfway through the Spring Equinox in March and the Summer Solstice in June. It was an occasion for a feast with dancing, bonfires and fertility rituals which included love-making in the fields to improve the earth’s fertility for bountiful harvests. 

In modern times, the marking of the end of winter is better known as May Day and is celebrated in different ways in many European countries.

In France, it is the Fête du Muguet, in which it is tradition to give small bouquet of lily-of-the-valley to family and friends for good luck and happiness and, of course, as a celebration that winter has ended. In his country, historically, the actual tradition was born on May 1st, 1561 when King Charles IX of France received a lily-of-the-valley as a lucky charm. He was so charmed by this that from then on he offered a small bouquet of lilly-of-the-valley flowers every year to the ladies of his court. The custom of partners presenting these flowers to their lovers became increasingly more popular from the beginning of the 20th century as a token of love and affection.