The Easter Lily

In the United States, the most common symbol of that glorious resurrection for the entire Easter Season is the lily (lilium longiflorum). Jesus loved lilies!:
 

Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these.

The lily represents purity, chastity, innocence, and St. Gabriel's trumpet, and is a symbol of Our Lady and used to depict the purity of the Saints, especially SS. Joseph, Francis, Clare, Anthony of Padua, and Catherine of Siena.

In America, it has become, too, a symbol of the Resurrection.

Legend says that lilies originated with Eve's tears when the first couple was banished from the Garden of Eden.

Other legend says that they sprang up from the ground when drops of blood fell to the foot of the Cross.

It is interesting that these two legends exist, because Christ, the New Adam, wipes away the tears of the children of Eve who became the children of Mary when Christ gave her to us, through John, from the Cross.

Mary herself is symbolized also by another lily, lilium candidum, or the Madonna Lily (or "Annunciation Lily").