Perhaps no other flower, with the exception of the rose, has gained such worldwide and historical popularity as the heraldic lily. The amazingly fragile and truly royal beauty flower has become an inspiration. It was actively used not only as a symbol, but also as an element of floral ornament in the manufacture of fabrics or for painting walls in the homes of wealthy citizens of many countries. She adorned the coats of arms of eminent royal families, royal seals, and today it is often found in various images.
The lily sign became truly cult for representatives of various clans and was even considered a magical and sacred symbol. What is the reason for this popularity?
To begin with, there is an opinion according to which the heraldic lily is an image of a completely different, more modest flower, namely a terry iris (in any case, a number of sources claim this). Of course, the features of this plant are also easily traced in the ornate stylized image. However, if we consider this to be an iris, the very meaning that endowed the heraldic sign of the French kings loses value. Therefore, we take into account the opinion of experts from the world of flora, but, nevertheless, we will consider that this symbol is a lily, and not anything else.
The history of the surprisingly popular image dates back to the time when France was not yet a monarchy. More precisely, this is the end of the 5th century AD.
It was then that, having adopted Christianity, the founder of the kingdom of France (Clovis) replaced three very unattractive toads on his coat of arms with amazingly beautiful flowers in their charm. Why lilies, not roses? The answer to this question can be found in the history of the meaning of symbols.
For unknown reasons, it is the royal lily that is the flower that is considered the embodiment of a number of directly opposite qualities. This is cleanliness and vice (remember the magnificent Milady, and indeed branding criminals with a lily sign), fragility and luxury. Heraldic lily could not escape some deliberate distortions of its meaning. Inquisitors during the torture of “blasphemers” often held white flowers in their hands, as an embodiment of future purity of the soul. In ancient Rome, the royal lily was considered the embodiment of nobility and prosperity. Often, in the images dedicated to the Last Judgment, near the face of the Son of God along with the sword you can see this particular flower.
Surprisingly, this symbol is not a find of French heraldry. Her image is found in the Ancient East and in Palestine. In Italy, it was used on royal seals. For several decades, the golden heraldic lily adorned the royal flag of France and the coats of arms of several Polish princes. It is still used today in the popular ornaments that we see on the walls of home interiors or in the exhibition halls of museums dedicated to the history of medieval Europe and the East. The amazingly harmonious form and attractive symmetry of "fleur-de-lis" (namely, this magnificent symbol is called) have provided her incredible popularity not only among noble Frenchmen, but in modern society.
