"Lilium" is the haunting opening theme of the 2004 anime series Elfen Lied . Composed by the duo (Kayo Konishi and Yukio Kondo), the track has transcended its origins to become a landmark in anime music, recognized for its eerie beauty and deep religious and artistic symbolism. 1. Composition and Musical Origin
The opening sequence for "Lilium" is famous for its visual style, which heavily references the works of Austrian Symbolist painter .
"Lilium" is Latin for Lily , a flower traditionally symbolizing purity and resurrection. This directly contrasts with the violent, tragic life of Lucy, the series' protagonist. Elfen Lied Lilium
The song was designed to sound like a contemporary Gregorian hymn . It features a mezzo-soprano solo (performed by Kumiko Noma) followed by male a cappella voices, a structure that mirrors traditional Catholic liturgical music.
Within the story, the male protagonist, Kouta, gives a music box playing "Lilium" to Lucy when they are children. This melody serves as a recurring trigger for memories and a symbol of their lost innocence. "Lilium" is the haunting opening theme of the
The melody takes inspiration from several sources, including passages from Bach and various Renaissance hymns. It utilizes a slow, solemn tempo (Andante) and a minor tonality to evoke a sense of sorrow and sacredness.
The lyrics are written entirely in Latin . They are technically a cento —a literary work composed of various quotations from other sources. These include: Composition and Musical Origin The opening sequence for
Psalms (37:30) and the Epistle of James (1:12).