Fleur De Lis & The City

Article 2 Fleur De Lis & The City

So we took off last Sunday for Easter, and we hope everyone enjoyed time with their families, but we are back this week!

In researching this weeks session, we could not help but notice all of the beautiful and historical churches that display the fleur de lis symbol in some way. While the symbol has many historical roots and ties, it also have a great religious history.

One of the first places that we found the symbol in a holy place of worship is at the Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church located in Wayne County, Indiana. You can read up on the beautiful windows and about their church by clicking here.

In the picture below, you will see a gorgeous stained glass window, utilizing the fleur de lis as representation of the holy trinity, which sits on the east wall of their church. This photo is courtesty of thier website.

The next place that we found the fleur de lis used in a church is at Bourges Cathedral. In this photograph they have used the fleur de lis and explain it's meaning. We have taken an excerpt from their information here and below is how the next picture is explained.

"Stained glass window in the shape of a fleur-de-lys, Bourges cathedral, 15th c. Note the various themes: the Trinity, which the 3 petals were understood to recall, is represented; angels are bearing the shield as they are supporters of the arms of France, the dove descending from heaven recalls the legend of the baptism of Clovis when a dove brought the sacred ointment to Saint Remigius."

The next place we located the symbol was used a bit differently according to an article named "The Life of Jesus in Symbols, written by Tower Church". According to this, the fleur-de-lis was used in churches as a symbol to Mary. An excerpt of thier article, as it relates to the fleur de lis is below:

"Not all Christian symbols have a biblical origin. The fleur-de-lis in the left lancet refers to Mary. It was used by French kings and later became famous on the banner of Joan of Arc. From there it came to be used in the Christian context."

The picture they are referring to is below, courtesy of their website.

The next church found using the fleur de lis is Christ Church Cathedral located in Hartford, Connecticut. This striking photo is of their altar which uses the symbol in many ways. An excerpt of the explanation of the photgraph is here:

"The heavily carved High Altar was inspired by a tomb in Canterbury Cathedral. The front panels are carved with the symbols of the four writers of the Gospel. The center panel features Christ’s cross surrounded by fleur-de-lis. The 27 foot high Chancel window depicts the Transfiguration. Given in memory of the Rev. Dr. Wheaton, it depicts Christ in the center light above the transom. On the right is Moses with the stone tablets and on the left, Elias holds a book. Peter, James and John fill the lower lights."

Here is a picture of the altar, courtesy of their website. Can you see the fleur-de-lis?

And last but not least, we found the fleur de lis symbol used at La Sainte Chapelle. There is so much history, here we just don't have enough time to tell it all, but you can click the link above and read more. When they conducted several renovations to the church, the fleur de lis symbol is used against bright colors as seen in the photos below, courtesy of their website.

We hope you have enjoyed this weeks article and learned even more about the fleur de lis symbol as we did. The historical emblem is centuries old and is still enjoyed in many different ways today.