A tiger lily is so vivacious: the name truly fits.  With their bright orange color and their black spots, these beautiful flowers represent prosperity and vitality.

Another symbol of the tiger lily is eternal love or unconditional love.  The bright color is said to represent powerful feminine energy, an accentuated form of feminine prowess. 

Mercy, compassion, creativity, and fertility are in full force based on the vital and goddess symbolism of this flower.  It is said to be the flower of the deity Venus.

As symbols of wealth, prosperity, and vitality, tiger lilies are also a symbol of good luck.  In nature they are hearty plants that enjoy sun and acidic soil, with a continuous ability to bloom.  Perhaps for this reason, these flowers are linked to resilience.

Orange and black make a vibrant color combination that looks divine on cakes.  In particular, a chocolate cake or cupcake topped with this lily has a very dynamic effect.  Perfect for summer and fall, black and orange are made for each other.

To make a gum paste tiger lily, you will need:

Orange gum paste
Rolling pin
Waxed paper
Black or brown food coloring
Star-shaped cookie cutter
V-shaped glass
Green gum paste (optional, for leaves)

Line the interior of the v-shaped glass with waxed paper.  To make cleanup easier, line your work surface with waxed paper as well.

Roll out orange gum paste.  Using a star shaped cookie cutter, cut out three points for half of the flower, and three points for the other half.  Slice into six individual points into individual petals.

Arrange the six points of the tiger lily petals into the v-shaped glass lined with waxed paper.  Press slightly at the bottom to ensure that the petals join as they dry.

Roll out a small, thick cylinder of orange gum paste.  Attach to the center of your lily.

Make one to three small spheres of black gum paste.  Attach to the top of the cylinder in the center of your gum paste flower.

Dip a toothpick or paintbrush into black or brown food coloring.  Add spots to the petals of your tiger lily.

If you wish, use green marzipan to make leaves.  Cut them out either freehand or with a star shaped cookie cutter.  If you use a cookie cutter, slice into five individual leaves by cutting toward the center of the star.  Use a toothpick to add veins to the leaves or just indentations representing veins in the leaves.

Allow leaves to dry as well as the lily.  Once dry, gently lift the tiger lily from the glass by lifting the waxed paper out of the v-shaped glass.  First, place leaves on the cake individually.  Then, rest the tiger lily in the center of the leaves.

Be sure to get your kids involved in the process.  This is a gum paste tiger lily that is designed to be easy and fun to put together.  Fill your cake or cupcakes with them, and congratulate yourselves on your lovely masterpiece!