Lilac (Syringa Vulgaris), from the Flowers series for Old Judge Cigarettes 1890

This chromolithograph of Lilac (Syringa Vulgaris), from the Flowers series for Old Judge Cigarettes, was created by Goodwin & Company between 1850 and 1950. The image is dominated by the lilac, a symbol deeply rooted in various cultural mythologies. Historically, lilacs have been associated with spring, renewal, and love. In Victorian times, giving lilacs conveyed sentiments of first love. Yet, looking deeper, the flower's symbolism extends into mourning, often planted in cemeteries, where the lilacs signal a return to the earth, a transformation from life to death and back again. This cycle of life, death, and rebirth is a universal theme. Think of ancient Egyptian beliefs in the afterlife or the Greek myths of Persephone's annual return from the underworld, bringing about spring. The appearance of lilacs on a cigarette card hints at how deeply symbols are woven into the fabric of our daily lives, influencing our thoughts and desires through subtle, often subconscious associations. Each blossom invites a complex interplay of emotions and memories, deeply ingrained in the human psyche.