I have mentioned my love of New Orleans a few times. Since the Fleur De Lis is the symbol of NOLA, it means a great deal to me. I have been collecting them online and in real life for years. Several people have asked for information about it. In honor of Moonlight's most recent episode (#1x09), I thought I would share some of my images and info with you. :)The Fleur De Lis ~ also spelled Fleur De Lys ~ has traditionally been designated for French royalty. It translates to "Flower of the Lily." For centuries, it has been part of royal emblems and crests. The show took a bit of poetic license (which is what fictional tv shows & movies do) by depicting it as a brand given to courtesans. Historically, there is no evidence of that. However, it was used to mark criminals at times. Some say it was specifically for murderers.
Since Hurricane Katrina, there has been a surge in Fleur De Lis tattoos by people showing their love for their city. I will share a photo of that type of body art with you. Also, a flag flown proudly in the French Quarter. The final image is a beautiful piece of artwork by our talented friend, Steve Bogdanoff. His gallery was located right on Royal Street before Katrina. Now, he is located in another one of our favorite art destinations, Santa Fe. I'll give you a link to his lovely website.
7 comments:
I just rewatched the epi again and was checking out your blog before surfing for info on the courtesan/tattoo thing. You've saved me the trouble, lol! Thanks again for a great, informative site!
Funny thing is i have these two picture frames and potting plant holdersin my home with the Fleurs de Lis symbol and my husband and I were wondering for the longest time what it meant because it seemed to be in alot of places. So it never clicked in while watching moonlight until i saw it on your blog and i am like hey, wait a minute that is what those symbols are, "The Fleurs De Lis" Funny how things happen. Thanks for the wonderful info.
The interview info was great to. i was kind of saddened about his answer towards the Beth/Mick thing. How something will happen that will change their feelings for each other. That to me was not something i would of liked to hear but i kind of know what it might be because i have seen certain spoilers. Well we are all hoping that Moonlight returns for another season and if it doesnt that would be to bad. But i am keeping my fingers crossed.
I hope that they keep the relationship of Mick/Beth going because that is what kept me going and i am sure alot of other people going.
Well gotta run!
Francesca
I noticed that the equal-armed cross on Mick's necklace is made up of 4 fleur de lis. I think his ring might be the same, but I haven't been able to get a good enough look at it. Historically, I know the fleur de lis is used on the compass rose (a figure which sometimes resembles a cross, and indicates the orientation of the cardinal directions--North, South, East and West.) Interesting.
Rachelle
Hi, I am a jeweler contacted by another blog for MOONLIGHT fans. I am custom making a pendant like is in the tv show. See http://www.moonlightline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=723&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=105
for more info! Thank you and I would love if you make this post public.
Contact jjwcustomjeweler if interested.
i was working in new orleans this past winter doing construction work and volunteering at some of the preschools downtown and working with the kids.
that city is so incredible that while i was down there i also got a fleur de lis tattoo (located on the top of my calf) i hope that i never forget what nola gave to me and i feel like i have to go back.
I am a Bossier by blood, my roots in Louisiana run back to the first settlers of Natchitoches Post and New Orleans.. All my family came from France we are a old Creole and Cajun French family.. The Fleur De Lis first started in France as a symbol of the people it is designed after a iris and was called "The Poor Man's Iris" in France.. It was used a lot of royalty, but to this day the national symbol of France. This is why Louisiana also used it, even the state and once large territory of La Louisiane was name for the king of France King Louis XIV, King of France from 1643-1715.. I love this symbol and what it stands for past and present.
While the fleur-de-lis has appeared on countless European coats of arms and flags over the centuries, it is particularly associated with the French monarchy in a historical context, and continues to appear in the arms of the King of Spain and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, members of the House of Bourbon. It remains an enduring symbol of France that appears on French postage stamps, although it has never been adopted officially by any of the French republics. In North America, the fleur-de-lis is often associated with areas formerly settled by France, such as Quebec and Louisiana, and with French-speaking people in other Canadian provinces.
It is also the emblem of the city of Florence, and of the Swiss municipality of Schlieren.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the flag of Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1992 to 1998 contained six fleurs-de-lis and is used as a national symbol of Bosniaks.
In the United Kingdom, a fleur-de-lis has appeared in the official arms of the Norroy King of Arms for hundreds of years.
The Welsh poet Hedd Wyn used Fleur de Lys as his pen name when he won his chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales (Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru), the national poetry contest.
Fleurs-de-lis appear on military insignia and the logos of many organizations. During the 20th century the symbol was adopted by various Scouting organizations worldwide for their badges. Architects and designers use it alone and as a repeated motif in a wide range of contexts, from ironwork to bookbinding, especially where a French context is implied. As a religious symbol it may represent the Trinity, or be an iconographic attribute of the archangel Gabriel, notably in representations of the Annunciation. In such contexts, the fleur-de-lis is associated with the Virgin Mary.
The symbol is also often used on a compass rose to mark the north direction, a tradition started by Flavio Gioja, a Neapolitan mariner of the fourteenth century.
Post a Comment