Fleur-de-lis

The fleur-de-lis (also spelled fleur-de-lys; plural fleurs-de-lis or -lys; an archaic spelling is fleur-de-luce) is used in heraldry, where it is particularly associated with the French monarchy (see King of France). Fleur-de-luce also means Flower of Light. Lucy/Luce means light.

Modern usage

France Modern remained the French royal standard, and with a white background was the French national flag until the French Revolution, when it was replaced by the tri-colour flag of modern-day France. The fleur-de-lis was restored to the French flag in 1814, but replaced once again after the revolution against Charles X of France in 1830. In a very strange turn of events, where a flag actually influenced the course of history, after the end of the French Second Empire, Henri, Comte de Chambord, was offered the throne as king of France, but he would agree only on condition that the French give up the Tricolor and restore the royal standard with the fleur-de-lis; however, his condition was rejected and France became a republic. The "France modern" fleur-de-lys pattern is also on the coat of arms of the Île-de-France region (as for instance as a badge on the uniforms of the local gendarmerie legion).

Related Topics:
French Revolution - Tri-colour flag - 1814 - Charles X of France - 1830 - French Second Empire - Henri, Comte de Chambord - Tricolor - Republic - Coat of arms - Île-de-France - Gendarmerie

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In 1948, a new flag of Quebec was introduced that incorporated the fleur-de-lis. Prior to this, the Union Jack had flown over Quebec's legislature.

Related Topics:
1948 - Flag of Quebec - Union Jack

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Other notable places or institutions that use the symbol informally or as part of their heraldic arms are: Quebec; Canada; Spain (ruled by the Bourbons); Augsburg, Germany; Florence, Italy (whose lis-sporting currency fiorino influenced the Dutch gulden and Hungarian forint); Laško, Slovenia; the Fuggers medieval banking family; the House of Lancaster; Bosniaks in Bosnia and Herzegovina (who call it Lillicum Bosniacum); the Boy Scouts; New Orleans, Louisiana, Detroit, Michigan, Louisville, Kentucky, Wiesbaden, Germany and Saint Louis, Missouri.

Related Topics:
Quebec - Canada - Spain - Bourbons - Augsburg - Germany - Florence, Italy - Fiorino - Gulden - Forint - Laško - Slovenia - Fuggers - House of Lancaster - Bosniaks - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Boy Scouts - New Orleans, Louisiana - Detroit, Michigan - Louisville, Kentucky - Wiesbaden - Saint Louis, Missouri

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The symbol is also often used on a compass rose to mark the north direction.

Related Topics:
Compass rose - North

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The U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team perform a manœuvre they call the "fleur-de-lis". In this manœuvre five aircraft (in a formation they call the "stinger diamond") pull gracefully to a straight vertical direction while trailing white smoke. The four lead aircraft break formation and perform partial loops in four different compass directions. The trailing aircraft continues vertically while performing a continuous roll.

Related Topics:
U.S. Navy - Blue Angels

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The fleur-de-lis is a popular symbol of New Orleans, used in much New Orleans art and architecture. A black fleur-de-lis is also the logo of the New Orleans Saints football team.

Related Topics:
New Orleans - New Orleans Saints - Football

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Brazilian author Aluísio Azevedo wrote a play entitled Fleur-de-lis.

Related Topics:
Brazilian - Aluísio Azevedo

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