Fleur De Lys Options

[Lyn]

Does anyone know anything about the Fleur de Lys? Is there any esoteric significance in regards to it?

Thanks

Lyn

[Lyn]

It would seem from something just discovered that the Fleur De Lys is symbolic of the Lingam Yoni and also the bee.

[Matthew Thomas]

I seem to recall that the fleur-de-lis is a French variation of the cross, which is an alchemical symbol.

Of particular interest is that the symbol appeared on the French flag previous to the revolution. That may be due to an old tradition of alchemical knowledge preserved by the early French Kings, which was clearly lost (or rejected) by the later kings.

[Lyn]

Thanks, Matthew, for your posting. The picture was interesting to see. Found this for sharing with everyone ...

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.

The Fleur-de-Lys is the pre-eminent heraldic emblem of French royalty, and is said to represent a lily, symbolic of Davidic descent. While flowers in general symbolize the female reproductive organ, the lily is even more suggestive of a vulva than most. But unlike most flowers, the lily possesses a phallic rod which thrusts forth from its interior, making it uniquely hermaphroditic in its symbolism.

All of these symbols have additional layers of meaning, and many can be explained in alternate terms as well. For instance, it has been pointed out that the Rose-Cross, or rosa crux, was a deliberate misrepresentation of what was originally called the ros crux. Rose means rose, but ros actually meant dew, the substance which the ancient alchemists claimed was able to transmute base matter into gold. Rosicrucians took advantage of the confusion between the two terms to consciously camouflage their true intentions in an ambiguous, seemingly unthreatening icon. And both interpretations, ultimately, are equally alchemical in nature. In fact, all the symbols discussed could be understood in an alchemical context: they all represent an integration and transcendence of opposites, and a conjunction of male and female principles.

[Zoroastro]

Dear Lyn, pls see my comments below:

"It is believed to take the shape of a lily or Iris, and to symbolize Mary and the Holy Trinity."

False: the number 3 represents God (Creator > Man > Christ/Holy Spirit - the Trinity).

"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."

False again. Why are the lilies gold? Does it refer to feminine values?
Certainly not. They refer to masculine powers and knowledge.
And blazoned on blue ground, it means that a conscious (= blue) elected man (in his 12th incarnation) can become a Christ - realizing a biological everliving human body.
Like described in Graves' Jesus King. It is worth reading.

By the way, are you familiar with heraldry?

[James Crow]

As with all symbols it carries multiple levels of meaning, and has been adopted by different groups, each of which uses it for different reasons.

In terms of Gnosis, the symbol is clearly representing the Three Primary Forces (Kether, Chokmah, Binah) and Gold is always a symbol if the Christic Gold, or potable gold of the alchemist.

But it is equally true that the shape has long been associated with the Divine Mother as well, and it is interesting to consider that in terms of her multiple aspects, her blue robe, and gold halo.

In the alchemical tradition you can find images of the Christ crucified on a fleur-de-lis, which is being born from the Divine Mother (Mary).

To really understand this symbol, you must meditate on it.

[Lyn]

Thank you both (James and Zoroastro) for your input. Zoroastro, I'm not in any way familiar with heraldry.