Fascinating Facts About New Orleans

The "fleur de lis," this motif historically is associated with New Orleans and its heritage.

1682-"Robert Cavelier de la Salle planted the cross on Louisiana soil and erected a plaque with the french fleur-de-lis. He claimed the lower Mississippi valley in the name of God, the French, and the King."
Citation: http://archdiocese-no.org/history/french.htm

"The fleur de lis meaning is a symbolic drawing of a lily or an iris. You will see it all over in European coats of arms and is really representative of the French. You will often find the fleur de lis symbol in areas that were settled by the French. Those areas were Quebec, St. Louis, Louisville, and Louisiana. The symbol is thought to mean ideals of purity, light, and is floral in its depiction."
Citation: www.digitalnewsreport.com/2010/02/08-mardi_gras_new_orleans_history_of_the_celebrations/3084n.

2005-The fleur-de-lis becomes a unifying symbol throughout the gulf region. This symbolic piece of history unites New Orleans as survivors of the storm
come together to reclaim their lives post Hurricane Katrina.