The meaning of the lily flower

For centuries, the fleur-de-lis has fascinated and intrigued. Adorning royal coats of arms, cathedral stained glass windows and master paintings, it is adorned with a multitude of meanings, each weaving a unique story through time. Let's explore the different facets of the fleur-de-lis, deciphering its symbolic origins and its evolution over the centuries. From its royal heritage to its religious dimension, through its cultural and artistic interpretations, let's dive into the richness of a universal and timeless symbol. So, let yourself be guided by the captivating beauty of the fleur-de-lis and discover the secrets it whispers through the ages.

Historical symbolism of the fleur-de-lis

Throughout history, the fleur-de-lis has been used to express multitudes of ideas.

Origin and representations

The exact origin of the fleur-de-lys as a symbol remains uncertain. Some relate it to the marsh iris, while others see it as a stylization of the white lily, a wild flower present in Europe and Asia. The historian Michel Pastoureau proposes a more prosaic origin, the fleur-de-lys being a simple stylization of a Frankish spear.

Since ancient times, the fleur-de-lis has appeared in various cultures, symbolizing purity, royalty and prosperity. It is found in Egyptian, Greek and Roman art, often associated with important deities.

• In Egypt, the lily flower was associated with the goddess Isis, a symbol of life and motherhood.
• In ancient Greece, it was the attribute of Hera, the queen of the gods, and symbolized marriage and fertility.
• Among the Romans, the lily flower was linked to the goddess Fortuna, goddess of luck and destiny.

In the Middle Ages, the fleur-de-lys became an omnipresent symbol in Europe. It was adopted by French royalty, becoming the official emblem of the monarchy under the reign of Clovis. Legend has it that the Frankish king received a chasuble sprinkled with fleur-de-lys during his baptism, giving this symbol a divine and sacred dimension.

Lily flower and royalty

The fleur-de-lys became a symbol of power and authority, appearing on flags, coats of arms and royal seals. It is also used to decorate royal clothing, jewelry and art objects.

The number of fleur-de-lis on a coat of arms can vary and has a particular meaning. For example, the kings of France wore three fleur-de-lis, symbolizing the Holy Trinity.

• A fleur-de-lis: Unity, perfection, faith.
• Two lily flowers: Alliance, harmony, balance.
• Three lily flowers: Holy Trinity, charity, hope, faith.
• Four fleur-de-lis: Justice, prudence, strength, temperance.

The fleur-de-lis is also present in the coats of arms of many other royal and noble families of Europe, such as the Plantagenets of England, the Habsburgs of Austria, and the Hohenzollerns of Germany.

Expansion and international influence

The influence of the French monarchy contributed to the diffusion of the fleur-de-lis throughout Europe. Many royal and noble families adopt this symbol, recognizing its prestige and power.

The fleur-de-lys is also present in the French colonies, appearing on the flags and coats of arms of territories like Canada, New Orleans, and Louisiana.

The fleur-de-lis in art and architecture

The fleur-de-lys is an omnipresent motif in medieval and Renaissance art and architecture. It is found on sculptures, stained glass windows, tapestries and illuminations. Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is a striking example of the use of the fleur-de-lys in architecture. It is found on the sculptures of the portals, the stained glass windows and the gargoyles. The Palace of Versailles is another notable example. The fleur-de-lys is present on ceilings, chandeliers, furniture and tapestries.

The fleur-de-lis in popular culture

The fleur-de-lis is also present in popular culture, appearing in fairy tales, songs and legends. For example, in the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast", the Beast gives Belle a red rose under a glass bell jar. The rose is often seen as a symbol of love and passion, and the fleur-de-lis is sometimes used as an alternative to the rose in this tale. Additionally, the song “Fleur de lys” by Leonard Cohen is an ode to the beauty and fragility of the flower.

Religious meaning of the fleur-de-lis

The fleur-de-lis appears many times in religious symbolism.

The fleur-de-lis and the Virgin Mary

In the Christian religion, the fleur-de-lys is an omnipresent symbol, often associated with the Virgin Mary. Its immaculate whiteness symbolizes the purity and virginity of the Mother of God, while its shape evokes the Trinity.

• The fleur-de-lis is often depicted in Christian art, notably in paintings and sculptures of the Virgin Mary. It is found in works by renowned artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Botticelli.
• The Virgin Mary is often depicted holding a lily in her hand, a symbol of her purity and divine motherhood.
• It is also found in the stained glass windows of cathedrals and churches, as well as on vestments and liturgical objects. The chasuble, a garment worn by priests during mass, is often decorated with fleur-de-lis.

Lily flower symbolism in Christianity

The fleur-de-lis has rich symbolism in Christianity, representing:

• Purity and virginity: The immaculate whiteness of the flower is associated with the purity and virginity of the Virgin Mary. It also symbolizes purity of soul and innocence.
• The Trinity: The tripartite shape of the fleur-de-lis is often interpreted as a symbol of the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit). The three petals of the flower represent the three persons of the Trinity, united in one essence.
• Hope and Charity: The fleur-de-lis is also associated with hope and charity, two important Christian virtues. Hope is trust in God and his promises, while charity is love of neighbor.
• The Immaculate Conception: The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, which states that Mary was conceived without original sin, is often represented by a fleur-de-lis. The whiteness of the flower symbolizes the immaculate purity of Mary from her conception.

The fleur-de-lys in the litanies of the Virgin Mary

The fleur-de-lis is also present in the Litany of the Virgin Mary, a series of prayers invoking the Mother of God under different titles.

• “Tower of David”: The fleur-de-lis is sometimes called “Tower of David” in the litanies, symbolizing the strength and protection of the Virgin Mary. The tower is a symbol of protection and security, and Mary is invoked as protector of the faithful.
• “Mirror of Justice”: The whiteness of the fleur-de-lis is also associated with justice and truth, and Mary is often invoked as the “Mirror of Justice”. She is a model of justice and truth for the faithful.
• “Mystical Rose”: The lily flower is also called “Mystical Rose” in the litanies, symbolizing the love and beauty of the Virgin Mary. The rose is a symbol of love and passion, and Mary is invoked as the embodiment of maternal love and compassion.

The fleur-de-lis in Marian apparitions

The fleur-de-lis is also present in stories of Marian apparitions. During her appearances to Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes in 1858, the Virgin Mary appeared holding a rosary in one hand and a white rose in the other. The white rose is often interpreted as a fleur-de-lis.

During her appearances to Lucia dos Santos and her cousins ​​Francisco and Jacinta Marto in Fátima in 1917, the Virgin Mary asked the children to pray for the conversion of sinners. She also promised to return to earth "at the end of the war." This promise is often interpreted as a reference to the end of World War I, which ended a few months later.

The fleur-de-lis is a profoundly Christian symbol, inseparable from the Virgin Mary. Its presence in art, architecture, liturgy and Marian apparitions testifies to its importance in the Catholic religion. The fleur-de-lis is a symbol of purity, virginity, Trinity, hope, charity, Immaculate Conception, protection, justice, love. It should be noted, however, that this flower also appears in other religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and many others.

The fleur-de-lis in art and architecture

Apart from religion, the fleur-de-lys has also inspired other fields such as architecture, jewelry and even art.

Architecture

The fleur-de-lys was featured extensively in medieval and Reconnaissance-era architecture.

Medieval ages

The fleur-de-lys is an omnipresent motif in medieval architecture, appearing as early as the 10th century. Its presence is particularly marked in religious constructions, symbolizing purity and holiness.

• Cathedrals: The fleur-de-lys adorns the portals, stained glass windows, gargoyles and capitals of many Gothic cathedrals, such as Notre-Dame de Paris, Chartres, Reims, Amiens and Cologne.
• Abbeys: It is also found in abbeys, such as the Abbey of Saint-Denis and the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel.
• Churches: The fleur-de-lis is an important decorative element in churches throughout Europe, symbolizing the divine presence.

Renaissance period

The fleur-de-lis continues to be used in Renaissance architecture, but its use extends to other types of buildings.

• Castles: The fleur-de-lys is an important decorative element in Renaissance castles, such as the Palace of Versailles, the Castle of Fontainebleau and the Castle of Chambord.
• Town halls: It is also found on the facades of town halls, such as the Paris town hall and the Brussels town hall.
• Bourgeois houses: The fleur-de-lys was also used in the decoration of bourgeois houses, particularly on doors, windows and fireplaces.

Sculpture

The sculpture also sometimes refers to the fleur-de-lis.

Religious sculpture

The fleur-de-lis is a popular motif in medieval and Renaissance religious sculpture. It is often present on statues of the Virgin Mary, saints and angels. The fleur-de-lis is often associated with the Virgin Mary, symbolizing her purity and virginity. It is found in numerous statues of the Virgin and Child, such as the Virgin and Child of Chartres (Chartres Cathedral) and the Virgin and Child of Nicolas de Verdun (Louvre Museum, Paris).

The fleur-de-lys is also present on statues of saints, symbolizing their holiness and martyrdom. The fleur-de-lis is often used to represent angels, symbolizing their purity and perfection.

Secular sculpture

The fleur-de-lis is also used in secular sculpture, notably on statues of kings and queens. The fleur-de-lis is a symbol of royalty and power. It is found on the statues of the kings and queens of France, such as the statue of Charlemagne in Aachen and the statue of Louis XIV in Versailles. The fleur-de-lys is an important decorative motif on the capitals of columns in churches and cathedrals.

Paint

The painting can also be inspired by the fleur-de-lis.

Religious painting

The fleur-de-lys is a motif present in medieval and Renaissance religious painting. It is often present in paintings representing the Virgin Mary, saints and angels.

• Annunciation: The fleur-de-lys is often present in paintings representing the Annunciation, symbolizing the purity of the Virgin Mary. A famous example is the Annunciation by Fra Angelico (Prado Museum, Madrid).
• Nativity: The fleur-de-lis is also present in paintings representing the Nativity, symbolizing the purity and holiness of the Child Jesus.
• Crucifixion: The fleur-de-lys is sometimes present in paintings representing the Crucifixion, symbolizing the suffering of Christ and his victory over death.

Secular painting

The fleur-de-lis is also used in secular painting, particularly in portraits and landscapes. The fleur-de-lis is sometimes present in portraits of kings and queens, symbolizing their royalty and power. It is sometimes used to decorate landscapes in paintings, symbolizing the beauty and perfection of nature.

The fleur-de-lis is an omnipresent symbol in medieval and Renaissance art and architecture. It is used to decorate churches, cathedrals, castles, bourgeois houses, sculptures, paintings and tapestries. The fleur-de-lis is a symbol of purity, royalty, holiness and perfection