Lilies have bloomed around the Threshold Rock.

July 7th begins the 11th term out of the 24 solar terms in a year. It is called “Soseo” which means Lesser Heat, and Soseo is the official day that proclaims the beginning of summer. Fully bloomed lilies fill Wolmyeongdong starting from its entrance  with their fragrance and announce the beginning of summer.

As if crossing over a threshold to enter a room, in order to enter Wolmyeongdong, we pass by the Threshold Rock. The lilies planted around the Threshold Rock radiate a deep lily fragrance, and the deep fragrance seeps into the hearts of the people who come and go from Wolmyeongdong.

Lilium consists of lilies and lily-like other perennials. It is like a Nari which is the Korean word for lily. Lilies bloom in the forest where not much sunlight can directly shine or in shady areas. Because of its white color, it used to be very valuable in ancient times. In ancient Israel, the lily symbolized purity and cleanness, and they have also appeared many times in the Bible. The lily also symbolizes ancient beauty in the world. It blooms in June, so it is a June flower.

In the language of flowers, it means “purity, the happiness of a married couple, and the beauty of a woman.” When lilies bloom alone or in a group in a green forest, they look pure and clean and have a strong presence. Its straight stems and the flower that bloomed at the end of the stem, it shows strength and nobility, so it has features of a queen. These beautiful lilies attract bees and butterflies as well as people that are drawn to the bright light that it reflects. The beautiful features of lilies fill the eyes of people; people are drawn to their fragrance and people’s hearts become full of their beauty.

Now Soseo has just passed and the beginning of summer has finally started. Entering the monsoon season, the discomfort index for the begining of this summer is high. Come to visit Wolmyeongdong, smell the beautiful lilies’ fragrance and receive vital energy of the lilies.