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The fleur-de-lis (also spelled fleur-de-lys; plural fleurs-de-lis or -lys) is used in heraldry, where it is particularly associated with France.

The name, anglicized, means " lily flower", and the symbol is in fact a stylized Iris pseudacorus L.. It was adopted by King Philip I of France in the 11th century. His grandson Louis VII was the first to adopt the Azure semé-de-lis Or (a blue shield with a tight pattern of small golden fleur-de-lis) as his badge, and this came to be so closely associated with his country that it is now known as "France Ancient". Three gold flowers on a blue background ("France Modern") dates to 1376 and Charles V of France.

The fleur-de-lis' origins with French monarchs stems from the baptismal lily used in the crowning of King Clovis I. To further enhance its mystique, a legend eventually sprang up that a vial of oil descended from heaven to anoint and sanctify Clovis as King. The thus "anointed" Kings of France later maintained that their authority was directly from God, without the mediation of either the Emperor or the Pope. Other legends claim that even the lily itself appeared at the baptismal ceremony as a gift of blessing in an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Catholic Church later endorsed the legend by associating Mary with the symbol. There are many other legends, that state for instance that Clovis saw an angel, among others.

Contrary to popular belief, the fleur-de-lis did not originate in France. It was a creation of the ruling class of the Roman Empire, and the French merely adopted, not created, the symbol.

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France Modern remained the French royal standard, and with a white background was the French national flag until the French RevolutionThe period of the French Revolution in the history of France covers the years between 1789 and 1799, in which democrats and republicans overthrew the absolute monarchy and the Roman Catholic Church perforce underwent radical restructuring. While France wo, when it was replaced by the tri-colour flag of modern-day France. The fleur-de-lis was restored to the French flag in 1814Events January 14 Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden January 29 French army of Emperor Napoleon I wins the Battle of Brienne January 31 Gervasio Antonio de Posadas becomes Supreme Director of Argentina. February Congress of Chatillon see George Hamilton Gordo, but replaced once again after the revolution against Charles X of FranceCharles X ( October 9 1757 November 6 1836) was born at the Palace of Versailles. He was the grandson of Louis XV and his Polish queen, Marie Leszczynska and son of Louis (the uncrowned dauphin) and his German wife, Maria-Josefa of Saxe. He was crowned Ki in 1830. It is retained on the flag of Quebec to the present day.

In 1948, a new flag of Quebec was introduced that incorporated the fleur-de-lis. Prior to this, the Union Jack had flown over Quebec's legislature.

Other notable places or institutions that use the symbol informally or as part of their heraldic arms are: Quebec; Canada; Spain (ruled by the Bourbons); Augsburg, Germany; Florence, Italy (whose lis-sporting currency fiorino influenced the Dutch gulden and Hungarian forint); Laško , Slovenia; the Fuggers medieval banking family; the House of Lancaster; Bosniaks in Bosnia and Herzegovina; the Boy Scouts; New Orleans, Louisiana, and Louisville, Kentucky.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team perform a maneuver they call the "Fleur-de-lis". In this maneuver five aircraft (in a formation they call the "stinger diamond") pull gracefully to a straight vertical direction while trailing white smoke. The four lead aircraft break formation and perform partial loops four different compass directions. The trailing aircraft continues vertically while performing a continuous roll.