Fleur de lis

The fleur de lis, also known as fleur de lys or flower-de-luce, is a gorgeous symbol of purity and an unofficial symbol of France.  The name translates into English as 'flower of the lily'.  It's exact origin remains slightly mysterious and somewhat spiritual.  One belief is that the lily or 'lis' sprung from Eve's tears as she left Eden in the fall of man. 

Beginning in the 11th century, French royalty adopted the symbol as a baptismal symbol of purity.  One legend arose that the lily appeared as 'a gift of blessing from an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary'. King Louis VI became the first French monarch to use the fleur de lis on his shield.  Later, several English kings incorporated the symbol into their coats of arms to show their claims to the throne of France.

Throughout history and across several kingdoms, the three petals of the fleur de lis came to represent faith, wisdom, and chivalry.  They also came to symbolize the holy trinity.

Some fleur de lis facts:

• Joan of Arc carried a white banner showing God blessing the French royal emblem while leading French troops into battle

• the fleur de lis featured prominently in the crown jewels of England and Scotland                 
• it is a popular symbol of New Orleans,LA - used in art, architecture, is on the city's flag and the logo for the New Orleans Saints football team
• it is also featured on the St Louis, MO flag as the city marks the convergance of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers
• it is also featured on the Quebec, Canada flag. 
• (no surprise as all three cities share a French heritage)  

                        New Orleans                       St Louis                          Quebec

• it is the flower of the Kappa Kappa Gamma womens fraternity (the word 'sorority' was not coined until after their founding) and on their coat of arms
• it is also the symbol of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity
• Boy Scouts of America

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Jeanne