Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) – magnificent beauty, divinity, devotion
The Calla Lily, also called the Arum Lily, is neither Calla, Arum, or Lily. It was misclassified from the start, since it does closely resemble all three of its misnomers. Calla is Greek for beauty, though, so it still fits for such an exquisite flower. How soft its curves, delicate its sfumato coloring, elegant its long-necked stem. If a swan could be a flower, it would be this one: stunning to look at, but mean and nasty up close; every part of the calla lily is poisonous. Early colonists of its native South-Africa would stupidly prank each other by giving their peers food mixed with calla lily as they would do with the similar arums of their homes, only to find their friends permanently damaged by the poison.
Pure white lilies (whether they are really lilies or not) are always associated with the Virgin Mary’s purity and holiness, and you’ll find them depicted often in Christian symbolism. On graves, in wedding bouquets, churches, and a multitude of Mondrian’s religiously-tinted flower illustrations calla lilies hold an strong and obvious devotional energy.
(writing and illustration by Mira Gryseels)
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