i know that it is the symbol for the New Orleans Saints ..
but what is the orignial symbol for it?
here's the link to the photo
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y69/Cubanita305/Saints.jpg
2007-01-16 06:02:49 · 6 answers · asked by bebechick504 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Drawing & Illustration
This symbol is called the "fleur-de-lis," which in English is literally "flower of the lily." It is traditionally a symbol of the French monarchy. "Legend has it that an angel presented Clovis, [a] Merovingian king . . . with a golden lily as a symbol of his purification upon his conversion to Christianity. Others claim that Clovis adopted the symbol when waterlilies showed him how to safely cross a river and thus succeed in battle."
It is also sometimes used by the Church as a symbol of the Virgin Mary, or, because of its three petals, as a symbol of the Trinity.
The usage by the Saints probably reflects the French background of Louisiana. And although Louisiana is named for Louis XIV, there was another French king named Louis (Louis IX) who became a saint.
2007-01-16 06:25:12 · answer #1 · answered by Jeffrey S 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In addition to the French connection stated by the others, it is also a symbol of the Catholic Church. So, the symbol has more than one reason for its connection to "The SAINTS". I think the Catholic connection was stronger than the French connection for its choice as the Saints symbol. New Orleans is overwhelmingly Catholic and was a refuge for catholic immigrants from all over Europe.
Oh, the Fleur-de-lis was the symbol used on the Bourbon Flag, which was the French flag until the tricolor was adopted after the French Revolution. France's royal family was the Bourbons, who chose their name from a street in New Orleans.... okay, just kidding. The Bourbon Flag had three fleur-de-lis on a white or blue field. The New Orleans flag is pretty much the Bourbon flag inside a tricolor.
But, history lesson aside, a Fleur-de-lis is basically the profile of a lilly.
2007-01-17 00:12:06 · answer #2 · answered by MDHarp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Fleur-de-Lis. a link below explains the history of the symbol. It was used by the NO Saints to represent the large number of French people who settled the New Orleans area...
http://www.fleurdelis.com/fleur.htm
2007-01-16 14:10:37 · answer #3 · answered by HoosierDon 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe I've seen it as a symbol for some kind of royalty in the late 1700's. But I'm not sure.
Oh, yes, and it's also a symbol for a clothing brand.
2007-01-16 14:09:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Also used by the Quebec Nordiques, on their uniforms, before they came to the States as the Colorado Avalanche.
2007-01-16 14:12:59 · answer #5 · answered by sakicfriend 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is called the Fleur-De-Lis, it is used in French coat of arms.
2007-01-16 14:09:00 · answer #6 · answered by WC 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋