Fleur-de-lys (Noun)
Meaning
(heraldry) charge consisting of a conventionalized representation of an iris.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The fleur-de-lys was a common motif in medieval heraldry, often featured on coats of arms and other emblems.
- In the crest of the French royal family, three fleur-de-lys were arranged in a row, symbolizing the Holy Trinity.
- The city of New Orleans adopted the fleur-de-lys as a symbol of its French heritage and connection to the city's founders.
- The fleur-de-lys on the family crest indicated that the family was of noble birth and had ties to the French aristocracy.
- During the Middle Ages, the fleur-de-lys was often depicted in conjunction with other heraldic charges, such as lions and eagles, to convey strength and power.