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.

Origins

The name, anglicized, means "lily flower", and the symbol is in fact a stylized Iris pseudacorus L.. It was adopted by King Philip I of France in the 11th century. His grandson Louis VII was the first to adopt the Azure semé-de-lis Or (a blue shield with a tight pattern of small golden fleur-de-lis) as his badge, and this came to be so closely associated with his country that it is now known as "France Ancient". Three gold flowers on a blue background ("France Modern") dates to 1376 and Charles V of France.

Related Topics:
Lily - Iris - Philip I of France - 11th century - Louis VII - 1376 - Charles V of France

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The fleur-de-lis' origins with French monarchs stems from the baptismal lily used in the crowning of King Clovis I. To further enhance its mystique, a legend eventually sprang up that a vial of oil descended from heaven to anoint and sanctify Clovis as King. The thus "anointed" Kings of France later maintained that their authority was directly from God, without the mediation of either the Emperor or the Pope. Other legends claim that even the lily itself appeared at the baptismal ceremony as a gift of blessing in an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Catholic Church later endorsed the legend by associating Mary with the symbol. There are many other legends, that state for instance that Clovis saw an angel, among others.

Related Topics:
King Clovis I - Blessed Virgin Mary - Catholic Church

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Contrary to popular belief, the fleur-de-lis did not originate in France. Although this is debated by some scholars, it was allegedly inherited from the Ancient Egyptian symbol for circumcision, later adopted by the ruling class of the Roman Empire, probably due to religious influences. After the fall of Empire it was inherited to symbolize the sacred origin of the Merovingian dynasty and then became a symbol of the entire Christian French Kingdom. Modern, unconfirmed, theories about the Holy Grail see in the fleur-de-lis a symbol of the mythical holy origin of the French nation in the union of legendary King Meroveus with Mary Magdalene's descendancy given to her by Jesus.

Related Topics:
Ancient Egyptian - Merovingian - Holy Grail - Meroveus - Mary Magdalene - Jesus

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By the 13th and 14th centuries, the three petals of the lily of France were being described by writers as symbols of faith, wisdom and chivalry. As in Ireland, they also came to be seen as symbols of the Holy Trinity.

Related Topics:
13th - 14th centuries - Faith - Wisdom - Chivalry - Ireland - Holy Trinity

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By the 14th century, the fleur-de-lis had become so closely associated with the rule of France that the English king Edward III quartered his coat of arms with France Ancient in order to emphasize his claim on the French crown. This quartering was changed to France Modern in the early 1400s. The fleur-de-lis was not removed until 1801, when George III gave up his formal claim to the French throne.

Related Topics:
14th century - Edward III - 1400s - 1801 - George III

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:The treasured fleur-de-luce he claims

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:To wreathe his shield, since royal James

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::Sir Walter Scott, The Lay of the Last Minstrel, Canto Fourth, VIII

Related Topics:
Walter Scott - The Lay of the Last Minstrel

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::from The Complete Works of Sir Walter Scott, Volume 1 of 7, Conner and Cooke, New York, 1833

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Fleurs-de-lis feature prominently in the Crown Jewels of both Scotland and England and have been heraldic devices of those monarchs since very early on. The tressure flory-counterflory is a prominent part of the design of the Scottish royal arms and flag since James I of Scotland. In English heraldry, the fleur-de-lis is the cadency mark of difference of the sixth son.

Related Topics:
Scotland - England - Tressure flory-counterflory - James I of Scotland - Cadency

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