What does it mean to be branded with a fleur-de-lis?
The fleur-de-lis was used to brand slaves, like cattle, as discipline for attempting to escape. The practice took place not just in Louisiana, but French settlements around the world. The symbol was branded on slaves so if they did escape, there would be no mistaking to whom they belonged.
What does the fleur-de-lis symbolize?
The Fleur-de-lis Meaning in Religion In Christianity, lilies symbolize purity and chastity, which may be why the fleur-de-lis historically represents the Virgin Mary. While Mary has the strongest connection with the flower, it has also been used to represent Christ or the Holy Trinity.
Did the Fleur de Lis used to brand criminals?
Slave branding The fleur-de-lis (or flower de Luce) could be branded on slaves as punishment for certain offenses in French Louisiana. For instance, the Louisiana Code Noir (1724) stated: XXXII.
Who created the Fleur de Lis?
Two legends surrounded Clovis’ connection to the fleur-de-lis; the first legend brought the fleur-de-lis into Catholic symbology, and the second legend (which we will discuss later) created ties between the fleur-de-lis and the French monarchy. Sticking with the first legend, Clovis was originally born pagan.
Why is the fleur-de-lis so popular?
Whether the flower is in fact a lily or an iris, the fleur-de-lis is commonly associated with French history because French monarchs adopted the symbol. France is historically a Catholic country, and the emblem also became closely connected with French Catholicism.
What does the fleur-de-lis represent and why is it featured on the coat of arms of British rulers?
Why is it featured on the Coat of Arms of British rulers? The fleur-de-lis represents purity and light and it is the badge of France. It is also featured on the Coat of Arms to show loyalty to the alliance between England and France.
Where does the fleur de lis symbol come from?
The heraldic fleur-de-lis is still widespread: among the numerous cities which use it as a symbol are some whose names echo the word ‘lily’, for example, Liljendal, Finland, and Lelystad, Netherlands. This is called canting arms in heraldic terminology.
What’s the difference between Fleur de lis and Florentine?
Their emblem does, however, differ slightly from the fleur-de-lis we usually recognize here in New Orleans. Where our fleur-de-lis represents only the three petals of the flower, the Florentine fleur-de-lis depicts two decorative stamen between each petal.
Where do you find fleur de lis in Louisiana?
A fleur-de-lis also appears in some of the logos of local Louisiana media. Such as in the logo of WGNO-TV, the local ABC-affiliated television station in New Orleans, and WVUE-TV, the local Fox-affiliated television station in New Orleans.
How is the fleur de lis related to slavery?
Due to its connection with the French monarchy, New Orleanians came to understand the fleur-de-lis as a representation of power and it is through this interpretation that the symbol became related to slavery. In the eighteenth and nineteenth century white Americans used the fleur-de-lis to exert power over slaves,…