百合(ゆり)

百合(ゆり) refers to lilies.

Common varieties

• 鉄砲(てっぽう)百合(ゆり) (Easter lily)
• 山(やま)百合(ゆり) (golden-rayed lily)
• 姫(ひめ)百合(ゆり) (morning star lily)
• カサブランカ (Casablanca lily)

Common expressions

• 百合(ゆり)の花(はな) (lily flower)
• 立(た)てば芍薬(しゃくやく)座(すわ)れば牡丹(ぼたん)歩(ある)く姿(すがた)は百合(ゆり)の花(はな) (describing a graceful woman)

Counter: 本(ほん)

Cultural note

Lilies symbolize purity in both Western and Japanese culture. White lilies are common at funerals and Buddhist altars. The word 百合(ゆり) is also used in modern Japanese subculture to refer to romantic relationships between women ("yuri"), derived from the flower's association with purity and femininity.