The fleur de lis is a symbol you might see in a lot of places, including as a patch on a biker's jacket or as a decal on his bike or helmet. This symbol, as the name suggests, is French. The image is actually a stylized lily, although many times it can look almost like the end of a spear or other bladed weapon. The name in French literally translates to ?lily flower? (fleur means flower, and lis means lily). The symbol is usually used as a decorative image and may appear on flags, religious icons, and more. It can be found on many family crests and flags throughout French history.
If you're not in France, you may still see the fleur de lis on different flags and icons. When French settlers came to North America, many of them continued to use the fleur de lis. It's especially prevalent in Canada, where it appears on the Canadian coat of arms and the flag of Quebec. In the U.S., the fleur de lis can be seen in many regions, especially the areas around the Missouri and Mississippi rivers due to the large number of French settlers. The fleur de lis appears on the seal of many cities, including St. Louis, Detroit, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge. The fleur de lis is the official symbol of Louisiana.
If you have French ancestors or are from an area with a lot of French history to it, you may want to add a fleur de lis patch to your biker jacket. Its bright yellow color is sure to stand out.
