The fleur-de-lis symbol, named after the lily, is often linked to the iris, particularly Iris pseudacorus, due to its resemblance. This confusion arises because the stylised symbol doesn't strictly represent the botanical lily (genus Lilium) but rather echoes the shape of an iris. Historical symbols like the fleur-de-lis are more about emblematic representation than botanical accuracy, blending symbolism with stylised floral designs.
Thank you so much for this, Justine. Love history and this a great historical tidbit. Intrigued by the lis representing the three virtues of faith, wisdom, and chivalry; and I thought immediately of the three virtues of the later French philosophes: egality, equality, fraternity - is there by any remote chance a connection?
Not at all. The fleur is quite an old symbol, pre-dating the Revolution and its ideals. The fact that there are three is pure coincidence. In fact, in France, the fleur itself is not really associated all that much with French Revolutionary values, but instead it is more commonly (by itself) a symbol of the small, remnant, monarchist right and Catholic religious traditionalism. In Canada however, this is quite the opposite as the fleur is a symbol of secular, usually center-left, Quebecois and Francophone nationalism as well as religious (whatever little remaining religiousness there is). And then in America, the symbol is of course heavily associated with Louisiana, the Cajuns, the Creoles, and the small Francophone communities outside of Louisiana, particularly New England or South Carolina. But far beyond that, in pop culture it is the symbol of the city of New Orleans and their football team.
The fleur-de-lis symbol, named after the lily, is often linked to the iris, particularly Iris pseudacorus, due to its resemblance. This confusion arises because the stylised symbol doesn't strictly represent the botanical lily (genus Lilium) but rather echoes the shape of an iris. Historical symbols like the fleur-de-lis are more about emblematic representation than botanical accuracy, blending symbolism with stylised floral designs.
Or a frog.
Thank you so much for this, Justine. Love history and this a great historical tidbit. Intrigued by the lis representing the three virtues of faith, wisdom, and chivalry; and I thought immediately of the three virtues of the later French philosophes: egality, equality, fraternity - is there by any remote chance a connection?
The three lies the French tell themselves. It's the equivalent of the American Dream.
Not at all. The fleur is quite an old symbol, pre-dating the Revolution and its ideals. The fact that there are three is pure coincidence. In fact, in France, the fleur itself is not really associated all that much with French Revolutionary values, but instead it is more commonly (by itself) a symbol of the small, remnant, monarchist right and Catholic religious traditionalism.
In Canada however, this is quite the opposite as the fleur is a symbol of secular, usually center-left, Quebecois and Francophone nationalism as well as religious (whatever little remaining religiousness there is).
And then in America, the symbol is of course heavily associated with Louisiana, the Cajuns, the Creoles, and the small Francophone communities outside of Louisiana, particularly New England or South Carolina. But far beyond that, in pop culture it is the symbol of the city of New Orleans and their football team.
And ... how did the fleur-de-lis become the North Direction in a compass?
fascinating how this rando country west of asia chose some arbitrary symbol 😂
Lame.