Daily AncestorLily of the valley
Lily of the valley on a gravestone stands for humility, purity and the return of happiness, often on stones of young women.
The tiny bell flowers carried a return of happiness, humility and purity in the 19th century language of flowers. One genealogy library handout adds renewal and resurrection.
Like the lily, it was used mainly for girls and young women. It is a small, delicate carving, often in a corner or wrapped around a name panel.
As seen in a recordTown cemetery, 1860 to 1930
Sprig of lily of the valley beside the name: Minnie E., wife of Chas. Holloway, died June 6, 1892, aged 24 yrs.
Sources
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Lily of the valley." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/gravestone-symbols/lily-of-the-valley. Last checked 2026-10-15.