Yuri

explanation:
“Yuri” means love between girls, what is called lesbian(Girls Love). However, in doujin world Yuri is works which female authors makes for female, and works besides it are called simply lesbian.
As Yuri’s simple definition, strong love between puberty girls which is different from friendship is typical. Compared with lesbian, Yuri values mental bonds more than bodily bonds. Frankly speaking, Yuri don’t need sexual intercourse and seems platonic love.

K-on! Mio&Yui

origin:
Yuri was used for the first time by Bungaku Ito who was the chief editor of gay magazine “Barazoku(Roze family)”. Bara(roze) is a slang which means gay, and Yuri was born as the antonym. Because Bara is a metaphor of flower, Yuri may be so too. Bara seems be originally from an ancient Greek folk tale.

Maria sama ga Miteru (Maria watches over us)

supplement:
As the most famous Yuri works “Maria sama ga Miteru(Maria watches over us)” is mentioned. In “Mari Mite” there is an important lingo. It is “sœur (sister)“. The sœur is girls who exchange each other their vows.
And Yuri is found in more ordinary works not like “Mari Mite”. In various works elements of Yuri are found easily. Also “To aru Kagaku no Railgun“, “Saki“, “Strike Witches“, “Revolutionary Girl Utena” and so on.

K-on! Mio&Yui 2

To aru Kagau no Railgun MAD