Royal arms of France / Fleur de Lis

Description of the Product

The fleur-de-lis is a common symbol in many different cultures. The first surviving use is from the Celts, in their three pronged spearhead. Fleur-de-lis first came to be associated with France with king Clovis I. There are many legends about his conversion to Christianity in 496, all involving the lily, the Christian symbol for the Virgin Mary. Since then, the fleur-de-lis has been a symbol for all Christian kings of the Francs, most notably Charlemagne.

In heraldry fleur-de lis was a popular motif, representing faith, wisdom and chivalry, later the Holy Trinity. It can still be found on several coats of arms around Europe, such as in the CoA of Turku, Finland. The older french coat of arms, France ancienne, features several lilies on a blue background, but it was modernized during the reign of Charles V to feature just the three lilies.

Charles V the Wise, the archetypal medieval king, adopted the coat of arms into a this banner, the heraldic banner of France modern, in 1365, when he was deeply embroiled in the battles of the 100 Years Wars. Through centuries this Royal flag was used by all of the French kings. Like all Royal banners, it was not the flag of the state or of the people, but of the monarchy. This distinction was something that Louis XIV, the Sun King, famously aimed to eradicate, striving to absolutism. He is attributed with the phrase L’Etat, c’est moi, I am the state. Along with over a thousand years of continuous monarchy, the use of the royal flag became to an end in 1792 when King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were arrested and subsequently sent to the guillotine.

The flag was later re-adopted by the House of Bourbon from 1815 to 1830. Although the three fleurs-de lis are still commonplace, from the police uniforms to coats of arms of many cities and departments, it has not been officially adopted by any of the republics.

The flag is double sided, and made of durable indoor/outdoor nylon. 93cm x 150cm (36.6” x 59”) with metal grommets.

• In heraldry fleur-de lis was a popular motif, representing faith, wisdom and chivalry, later the Holy Trinity
• It can still be found on several coats of arms around Europe
• King Charles V the Wise adopted this three-lily coat of arms banner in 1365
• The flag was later re-adopted by the House of Bourbon from 1815 to 1830
• Flag is double sided with metal grommets
• Size: 93 cm x 150 cm
• For indoor/outdoor use
• Material: Polyester