Fleur de Lis History

The stylized flower usually called the Fleur de Lis, is common to all eras and civilizations. It is believed that the Fleur de Lis traces its origins back to ancient Egypt and the sacred lotus symbol, meaning, tree of life.

The Fleur de Lys, which became a patent and enigmatic emblem of the Divine Right of Kings, evolved in ancient Egypt and the Mesopotamia area as a variant of the palmetto tree.

In France, where the Fleur de Lis trickles into the North American Continent, is traced to Clovis I in 493 upon his conversion to Christianity. The Fleur was adopted by King Philip I of France in the 11th century. His grandson, Louis VII was the first to adopt the blue shield with a tight pattern of small golden fleur de lys as his badge, and this came to be so closely associated with the country that it is now known as "France Ancient." The three gold flowers used on a blue background (France modern) is dated to 1376 and Charles V of France. By the 13th & 14th centuries, about the reign of King Louis IX (St Louis-1212-1270), the three petals of the lily were being described by writers as symbols of Faith, Wisdom and Chivalry. Also, established as traditional symbolism of the Trinity. History relates Joan of Arc (1412-1431) carrying a large white banner with a golden Fleur de Lis on it.

After the 2005 destructive hurricane season in Louisiana, the Fleur de Lis became a symbol of recovery.

This was followed in July 2008, by Gov. Jindal signing into law the fleur de lis as the official La. State symbol.