The lily was also purported to increase a woman's chances of having a male baby, should she wear it or consume it. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1662) they were planted all over the palace to enhance the chances of a son being born to the emperor.
金針另有一個別名：宜男，古時相傳孕婦時常佩戴或食用金針花，便會生兒子。明朝時，連皇宮內也遍植金針，只為「太平天子要宜男」。