Portret van Lodewijk V, koning van West-Francië

Ferdinand Delannoy produced this print of Louis V, King of West Francia, in the 19th century. Central to this image is the fleur-de-lis, prominently displayed atop the royal scepter. Originally a symbol of the Virgin Mary, by the Middle Ages, it had become intertwined with French royalty, representing purity, light, and divine right. The fleur-de-lis carries echoes of ancient symbols of power and divinity, its presence an assertion of legitimacy and a connection to a sacred lineage. We can see the fleur-de-lis in other contexts as well; it also evokes the scepter of Zeus. It resurfaces throughout history, each time carrying a blend of its original sacred meaning and the weight of its evolving cultural associations. It’s not merely a decorative element; it’s a vessel of collective memory, stirring subconscious connections to power, authority, and cultural identity.