Fleur-de-lis

The fleur-de-lis or "lily flower" is a traditional royal symbol of France and other European nations. It appears in the flags and coats of arms of territories once colonized by France, including Quebec and Louisiana.

The fleur-de-lis is displayed on the flag of Quebec, a province of Canada that remains French-speaking, as well as on the flags of New Orleans and Detroit, both important points of French settlement before the founding of the United States.

The fleur-de-lis has long been associated with New Orleans, adorning ironworks around the city. After hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, it became a rallying sign, a symbol of resilience throughout much of South Louisiana for a people recovering from two devastating natural disasters In New Orleans, the Saints football team, the Hornets basketball team, and the Zephyrs baseball team all use a fleur de lis logo. While here in Lafayette, fondly called the heart of Acadiana, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette proudly flies flags adorned with a red fleur de lis.

Cajon Flag In 1965, Thomas J. Arceneaux of Lafayette Louisiana, former dean of Agriculture at the University of Southwestern Louisiana designed the Louisiana Acadian flag. His description of the flag follows: To symbolize the French heritage and origin of the Acadians there are three silver fleur-des-lis on a blue background. To symbolize Spain, who governed Louisiana for 40 years and was in possession of the Louisiana territory when the Acadians arrived, the old arms of the Castille, a gold tower on a red field. The gold star on a white field represents"“Our Lady of the Assumption," Patroness of the Acadians and also symbolizes the active participation of the Acadians in the American Revolution, as soldiers under Galvez.

In 2008, the fleur-de-lis became an official symbol of the state of Louisiana.