The lily of the valley was selected the national flower of Finland in the year 1982 when Finland celebrated 50 years of their independence. This popular plant is found throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Europe as well as in Asia and also in the eastern parts of the United States. The flower is shaped like a bell, its sepals are coloured and they resemble the petals.

The lily of valley is said to have originated from the tears of Mother Mary at the sight of the cross of Jesus. This is the reason why the flower is also called ‘our lady’s tears’. Another legend states that the flower emerged from St George’s blood during his fight with a dragon.

The significance of this flower is steeped in tradition. The French celebrate May 1st by selling lily of the valley in the streets of France. A lily of valley is depicted in the coat-of-arms of a Norwegian municipality called Lunner. The flower is the official emblem of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Kappa Sigma fraternity, Delta Omicron fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority as well as the Alpha Phi sorority.