What does the fleur-de-lis represent on the coat of arms?

The Legend

Traditionally, it has been used to represent French royalty, and in that sense it is said to signify perfection, light, and life. Legend has it that an angel presented Clovis, the Merovingian king of the Franks, with a golden lily (or iris) as a symbol of his purification upon his conversion to Christianity.

What is meaning of fleur-de-lis?

In French, fleur-de-lis means "lily flower" or "flower of the iris." It's been used for centuries to represent a vast variety of things, including royalty, French cultural heritage, Christianity, light, defense, and female virtue.

Is the fleur-de-lis a pagan symbol?

While some Christians view the Fleur-de-Lis as a pagan symbol and do not accept it, it is considered a Christian Catholic symbol. Due to the lily representing purity, since antiquity the Roman Catholic church, has used the lily as a distinctive emblem of the Virgin Mary.

Why do the Saints have a fleur-de-lis?

The fleur-de-lis was used to brand slaves, like cattle, as discipline for attempting to escape. The practice took place not just in Louisiana, but French settlements around the world. The symbol was branded on slaves so if they did escape, there would be no mistaking to whom they belonged.

Is the fleur-de-lis a Catholic symbol?

The fleur-de-lis has been used by French royalty and throughout history to represent Catholic saints of France. In particular, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph are often depicted with a lily. The fleur-de-lis is represented in Unicode at U+269C ⚜ in the Miscellaneous Symbols block.

An Anecdotal History of the "Fleur de Lis"

What is the history of the fleur-de-lis symbol?

Traditionally, it has been used to represent French royalty, and in that sense it is said to signify perfection, light, and life. Legend has it that an angel presented Clovis, the Merovingian king of the Franks, with a golden lily (or iris) as a symbol of his purification upon his conversion to Christianity.

Is fleur-de-lis Celtic?

Whereas, in Greek and Roman coins, it is a fleuron of variable shape, in the Celtic case it is a true heraldic fleur-de-lis as it reappears in the 13th c.

Where did fleur-de-lis originate?

In French, fleur-de-lis literally means "lily flower". It may come as no surprise that an emblem found all over the state of Louisiana has its roots in a flower from French culture, stemming from the French colonization of the Americas, particularly present day Louisiana.

Why is the fleur-de-lis important to Canada?

The fleur-de-lys continued to symbolize France's dominion over Canada when Louis XIV came to power on 9 March 1661. That autumn, GovernorPierre Dubois Davaugour, upon seeing the St. Lawrence River for the first time, found it to be a favourable place for the “fleurs-de-lys” to settle.

Does the fleur-de-lis represent the Holy Trinity?

Holy Trinity: Due to its three "petals," the fleur-de-lis has also been used to represent the Holy Trinity. Fleur-de-lis is also an emblem of royalty given to the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven. The Florence fleur-de-lis symbol is unique in that it includes stamens. Commonly found in Gothic and Gothic Revival styles.

What is the fleur-de-lis flag?

A plain white flag symbolized the Bourbons, the French Royal Family,and the Fleur-de-Lis (Lily) has symbolized France since before history. Legend has it an ancient king found lilies growing on an island in the Seine River, and founded his capitol there, which became Paris.

Did the Romans use the fleur-de-lis?

The fleur-de-lis of Rome actually came to represent fidelity and unity among the people. Taking our symbol a couple centuries forward in time, we can look at its development within the Roman Catholic tradition. In the third century King Clovis I was crowned King of the Franks.

Why does Québec flag have fleur-de-lis?

The flag of Quebec is often called the “Fleurdelisé”. The white cross on a blue field recalls an ancient French military banner, and the four fleurs-de-lis are symbolic of France.

What is the fleur-de-lis cross?

In the 12th century the fleur-de-lis was the heraldic emblem of King Clovis I of France in 493 A.D. and was subsequently used by many other kings of France. Legend has it that an angel presented Clovis with a golden lily as a symbol of his purification upon his conversion to Christianity.

Is the fleur-de-lis French or Italian?

Since the 11th century, the fleur de lis has been the symbol of Florence, Italy.

What is the New Orleans symbol called?

NEW ORLEANS – The fleur-de-lis is a symbol that is deeply ingrained in Louisiana's history. Seen in architecture, the state flag and on the helmets of the Saints, it's everywhere. But while it is now seen as the mark of the state, it was once used to mark slaves.

When did Quebec adopt the fleur-de-lis?

Adopted by the Government of Québec in 1948, the Québec flag pays tribute to the French roots of much of the province's population. In Québec it's called the fleurdelisé, meaning “with the fleur-de-lis.” Let's take a look at its history, symbols, and how it came to be under the French Regime and British Regime.

What is the official flower of Quebec?

As the floral emblem of Québec, the iris highlights the importance of water and wetlands in the balance of nature.

What is the flag with 3 fleur-de-lis?

The municipal flag of New Orleans is the representative banner of the U.S. city of New Orleans, Louisiana. The flag has a large white field that contains three gold fleurs-de-lis and is bordered on the top by a red stripe and from below by a blue stripe.

What is the national flower of France?

fleur-de-lis, (French: “lily flower”) , also spelled fleur-de-lys, also called flower-de-luce, stylized emblem or device much used in ornamentation and, particularly, in heraldry, long associated with the French crown.

What flag is blue with yellow fleur-de-lis?

The Fleur de Lis is well known as a symbol of the French Monarchy, where it appeared on their royal coat of arms in gold on a blue background. Although modern day France is a single entity, during its history it consisted of many kingdoms and provinces, all of which were united by their Catholic Faith.

What represents New Orleans?

The fleur de lys is the most instantly recognized symbol of New Orleans, and Louisiana. Yet it remains a mysterious emblem veiled by centuries of history.

What was the French flag before the revolution?

Before the tricolour was adopted the royal government used many flags, the best known being a blue shield and gold fleur-de-lis (the Royal Arms of France) on a white background, or state flag.