Fleur-de-lis Cross
Fleur-de-lis - representative of both the soft gentle lily and the fighting barbed spear
Fleur-de-lis Cross
Fleur-de-lis Cross
The Fleur-de-lis Cross is a cross adorned with lily petals at the arm-ends, and is very similar to the Fleurie Cross and the Patonce Cross with liliform ends. Not only do the arm-ends represent flowers, but they also have the appearance of a barbed fighting spear. Therefore these crosses are used mainly in heraldry, especially in France.
Although lis is French for lily, the Fleur-de-lis Cross should not be confused with the Lily Cross, which is a cross emblazoned with one or more white trumpet-shaped arum lilies, used for Easter or funeral decoration.
Madonna Lily
The Lily in Christian art is a well known symbol of chastity, innocence and purity. It began appearing in religious art of Annunciation scenes in the late 14th century. (The Archangel Gabriel and Mary are sometimes shown holding a Lily.) With its pure, immaculate white petals, it is also known as the Madonna Lily. Mary is also associated with the rose "I am the Rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys" (Solomon 2:1). After the Protestant Reformation, the lily became a popular symbol for Christ.
The fleur-de-lis symbol is a stylized lily and has been a symbol of French royalty since the 11th century. Indeed, the English king Edward III incorporated the symbol on his coat of arms to emphasize his claim to the French crown. The symbol became less prominent in France after the French Revolution and was dropped by the English monarchy in 1801. It retained its image as a regal symbol, however, becoming popular in heraldry.
Another name is Gaelic Cross, although that title is more commonly used to describe the Celtic Cross. More recently, the Fleur-de-lis Cross has been adopted by the life-is-dark, neo-Goth subculture. It is known as the Gothic Cross and often worn satirically, accompanying grim black attire. Both 'Lily' and 'Fleur-de-lis' sound a bit too antiquated for some people and the 'New-Age' name is Lotus Cross.
In both the Fleur-de-lis Cross and the Fleurie Cross, the three petals represent faith, wisdom and chivalry when used in heraldry, and the Trinity when used as a Christian Cross.
See also
