Why is the Iris (Fleur de Lis) Often Used As a Wax Seal Stamp Design and What Does it Mean?

I'm sure you're no stranger to the ⚜ pattern in the title. This symbol that seems to have been there in the first place is often found on our clothing, wax seals, ornaments, ironwork, porcelain, famous paintings, and everywhere you may not have realized it was there in the corner of your vision. Why is it used in these places? What kind of plant is it and what kind of history and story does it carry with it?

Today, let's take a good look at the present and past lives of this mysterious botanical coat of arms.

This common pattern ⚜ originated in France and is called Fleur de Lis (Lily of France) in French, but the plant in the pattern is actually not the lily as we know it, but the iris. And the origin of this misleading name, to start with the Frankish tribes before the founding of France ~

Iris is a slender, large and beautiful flower with three petals that arch in an elegant arc over the center of the flower, and comes in a very rich variety of colors including purple, yellow and white.

Its English name comes from the Greek mythology of Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, symbolizing the richness of color and God's bridge between the worlds.

Since the 12th century, the iris has appeared in various French court coats of arms, such as royal flags, military shields, coins, and royal seals of different periods.

Legend has it that Clovis I, the first king of France, picked up a yellow iris and placed it on his helmet before a battle to symbolize his future victory;

Iit is also said that heaven appointed Clovis I as king of France and angels anointed him with iris holy oil, and subsequent kings of France used the iris coat of arms to commemorate Clovis I's conversion to Christianity.

At this point, the fleur-de-lis ⚜ officially became a symbol of the motifs of the French royal family, appearing as various architectural, dress patterns, and vessel decorations in the royal family. This can be seen in the numerous royal portraits.

King Louis VII of France designated the iris as the national flower of France.He was also the first king of France to use the iris on his shield. When his son Philip II was crowned, Louis VII also chose to wear a garment with the iris.

During the reign of Louis IX, the three-petaled iris was considered a symbol of the Trinity, and later in the 14th century, Charles V changed the iris emblem on the blue shield to three, symbolizing the Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In addition, the iris is often seen as a symbol of the Virgin Mary, representing purity.

This "⚜" Iris (Fleur de Lis) shape of the coat of arms was used from around 1500 until 1830, when the second Bourbon Restoration failed, and then never appeared on the coat of arms of France again.

It is not difficult to imagine that because the golden lily pattern has long been the symbol of "divine right of kings" to the magnificent royal symbol of French style, it gives people too direct and difficult to change the impression. So when the modern regime changed after the industrial revolution, the new regime in power must need a more powerful and modern graphic to change people's impression of the authorities.

Today, although the identity of the ⚜ as a royal symbol of France has disappeared, its simple but elegant shape has made it not so much obsolete by history, but has become a motif in the flag of many countries, or the symbol of a region.

Of course, in addition to its official capacity, the Lily Coat of Arms has gradually been integrated into our lives as a common design graphic. And its frequent appearance on wax seal stamps is one of the proofs.

After the explanation in the article above, do you know why the iris pattern is everywhere, and do you like the pattern?

We hope that the above article has helped you learn more about wax seals. If you have other questions, please read our other articles for more knowledge and tips on wax sealing stamps: 

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