Lilacs

[Richard Sylvester]

In a 1949 intro to Russian Songs, Nicolas Slonimsky writes:
[in Rakhmaninov's song "Lilacs" (Siren')] "the author wistfully complains
that the only happiness she can find in life grows in the lilac flower,
a reference to the superstitious belief in old Russia that a five-petal
lilac flower brings luck".

Has anyone ever come across this belief? Is it something widely known
to Russians? I've spent a lot of time with Russian friends in gardens,
but have never heard it!

I'd be grateful for any responses.

Thanks,

Dick Sylvester
rsylvester at center.colgate.edu