The Stargazer lily, an Oriental Hybrid, is immediately recognizable by its dramatic, wide-open blooms and its deep crimson-pink coloration contrasted with white edges. This flower also possesses a powerful, sweet fragrance. Beyond its striking aesthetic, this popular cultivar carries a rich and layered symbolism widely embraced in modern floristry. Its meaning is rooted in its unique history, physical characteristics, and vibrant color variations.
How the Stargazer Lily Got Its Name
The Stargazer lily is a relatively recent creation, developed in 1974 by California lily breeder Leslie Woodriff. Woodriff aimed to solve a common problem with older Oriental varieties, such as the ‘Rubrum’ lily, whose flowers tended to face downward. He accomplished this through cross-pollination to breed a new hybrid featuring blooms that opened upward. The name “Stargazer” was chosen because the flowers face the sky, appearing to gaze toward the heavens. This origin story provides the groundwork for the flower’s symbolism.
Overarching Symbolic Meanings
The flower’s name and unique upward orientation establish it as a symbol of aspiration and ambition. Because the bloom constantly looks to the sky, it represents loftier goals, success, and the pursuit of one’s dreams. This imagery makes the Stargazer a popular choice for celebrating personal and professional achievements. The dramatic appearance, with its bold coloration and wide petals, also contributes a sense of dramatic flair and prosperity to its overall meaning. While the lily family traditionally represents purity, the Stargazer’s bolder presentation adds an element of wealth and success to that foundational meaning.
Meaning Based on Color
While the intrinsic meaning of ambition remains, the color of the Stargazer lily introduces nuanced variations to its symbolism. The original and most common pink-crimson hybrid, with its speckled pattern, is associated with prosperity, abundance, and financial success. Gifting this shade often conveys admiration and a wish for great wealth. White Stargazer lilies inherit the traditional lily meaning of purity and innocence, making them a frequent choice for expressing sympathy and remembrance. A deep red or burgundy bloom, though less common than the pink, intensifies the message, signifying passionate love, determination, and courage.
Cultural Use and Application
The dual nature of the Stargazer’s symbolism—combining purity and aspiration—makes it versatile for various life events. In wedding arrangements, the flower is often included to symbolize the couple’s shared ambition and the promise of prosperity. White varieties are frequently utilized in bridal bouquets to represent devotion and the purity of the union. The association with success and high aspiration also makes the Stargazer lily a popular corporate gift or a thoughtful bouquet for graduations or promotions. Conversely, white and softer pink varieties are regularly chosen for sympathy arrangements, offering a comforting message of remembrance and peace, while the flower’s strong fragrance is sometimes incorporated into perfumes, cementing its modern identity as a symbol of sophisticated elegance.