Fleur de lys facts for kids

The fleur de lys (pronounced "flur de lee") is a special symbol that looks like a beautiful lily or iris flower. It's not a real flower, but a fancy drawing of one. For hundreds of years, people have used this design as a decoration on flags and on coats of arms, which are like family or country emblems.

What is the Fleur de Lys?

The name "fleur de lys" comes from French and means "flower of the lily." It's a very old symbol, often shown with three petals tied together near the bottom. The two outer petals usually curve outwards, and the middle one stands tall.

A Symbol with a Long History

The fleur de lys has been important for a very long time. It first appeared in ancient times in different cultures. But it became most famous in France. French kings used it as their main symbol for many centuries.

Royalty and Power

Imagine a king's flag or shield covered in these golden flowers! The fleur de lys was a sign of French royalty and power. It showed that the king was strong and important. You can still see it on old buildings, crowns, and royal items from France.

Beyond France

Even though it's strongly linked to France, the fleur de lys also appeared in other countries.

• For example, the kings of Serbia used it on their coins in the 12th century.
• The kings of Bosnia also had it on their coins in the 14th century.
• It even shows up in the coats of arms of some families, like the Sapieha family from Lithuania.

Where Can You See the Fleur de Lys Today?

The fleur de lys is still a popular symbol around the world. It's not just for kings anymore!

Sports and Teams

Many sports teams use the fleur de lys as part of their logo.

• A famous example is the New Orleans Saints, an American football team. Their helmet has a clear fleur de lys design.

Scouting and Community

The fleur de lys is also a very important symbol for Scouts.

• It's part of the emblem for many Scout groups around the world.
• It represents guidance and the path forward for young people.

Art and Architecture

You can find the fleur de lys as a beautiful decoration in many places.

• It's often seen in architecture, like on fences or gates.
• For instance, you can spot fleur de lys designs on the railings at Buckingham Palace in London.
• It's also used in art, jewelry, and even on clothing.

Images for kids

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  An iris flower compared with a fleur-de-lis design.

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  Charlemagne, painted by Albrecht Dürer. The symbols above him include the French Fleur-de-lis.

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  A gold coin from Serbian Stefan Milutin (12th century) showing the Serbian state fleur-de-lis.

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  A gold coin from Bosnian king Tvrtko I (14th century) with the Bosnian state fleur-de-lis.

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  The Sapieha family coat of arms, featuring the fleur-de-lis.

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  The Jurbarkas coat of arms from 1792.

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  The membership badge of the Belarusian Scout Association Abroad (1945-1951), showing the fleur-de-lis.

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  A soldier of the Manchester Regiment with a fleur-de-lis badge on his helmet in 1941.

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  The logo for the New Orleans Saints football team.

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  An early version of the Scout emblem used in the United Kingdom.

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  Fleurs-de-lis decorating railings at Buckingham Palace.