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The Fleur de Lis, also known as the "Lily of France," has one of the most controversial histories of any symbol. Standard heraldic histories claim it originated in the tenth century as a symbol of sovereignity, and was later adopted as the emblem of French King Louis the VII. It is believed to take the shape of a lily or Iris, and to symbolize Mary and the Holy Trinity.

In truth, the symbol is found much further back in history- as far back as Assyrian ornamental design. It is also seen on Greek, Roman, and Celtic coinage. In France, it's use may date back to Merovingian King Clovis, who reportedly wore an Iris flower in his helmet as he rode to victory in battle.

The symbol in Christian Europe is strongly linked to Mary, as the lily was a symbol of her purity. Some trace the symbol as an emblem of a secret family line, a symbol of the blood of Christ carried by Merovingian Kings.

Related Symbols:

Related Resources:

• Da Vinci Code Reader's Guide
• The Tarot
  The tarot has had a long and storied relationship with the Hermetic tradition, where it transcends its mundane use as a divination device and becomes a tool for spiritual pathworking.
• Hermetic Texts
  Traditional Hermetic texts- the Emerald tablet, the Corpus Hermeticum, more.
• Mystery Schools and orders
  Mystery schools and initiatory orders in the Hermetic tradition- the Masons, the Golden Dawn, Crowley's OTO, etc.