There may be no symbol that represents French culture as solidly as the fleur-de-lis. It is often seen in art, architecture, décor, and increasingly -- tattoos.  The term is composed of fleur (flower), de (of) and lis (lily), stylized after the beautiful species that grows along the Lys River in France. The symbol is a legend in itself - a lasting emblem of royalty, power, honor, grandeur, faith and unity.
 
It is written that an angel descended from heaven with the Holy Ampulla in the shape of a fleur-de-lis when King Clovis of France was proclaimed. It thus signified the French kings’ direct link to God. In the 11th century cathedrals issued coins with Mary holding it. It was found on the seals of cathedral chapters and supposedly was carried by Joan of Arc as a blessing. In the 12th century, the fleur-de-lis on a noblewoman’s seal proclaimed female virtue and spirituality. 

Not surprising then that the fleur-de-lis tattoo’s popularity continues. It is an artistically winning design, whose balance and symmetry reflects a sense of harmony. It fits into many forms and has been used in a myriad of cultures and eras.  More importantly, so many meanings are contained in it.

• As stated in nextluxury.com, “This cunningly suave French logo is a royal emblem of courtly civility and unquestionable dominance. A fleur-de-lis tattoo speaks volumes about a man’s internal character, and the puissant logo has endured throughout the ages.” 
  
• It is a historical symbol and can be used by those who study and appreciate history. The fleur-de-lis is found on the flag of Quebec in Canada as well as many other countries once colonized by the French.   
  
• As a symbol of unity, it is a choice for people getting matching designs. Devoted partners and close-knit groups often select it. Many armies have proudly worn it on their uniforms over the years. 
  
• It has long been seen as a good luck charm -- something soldiers took strength from before a battle, so it has come to represent hope. Some tattoos show “hope” written above. The symbol was even employed by the United States Army at one point to herald martial strength.
  
• The lily itself is symbolic of beauty, death, love, purity and faith. All these attach to the fleur-de-lis, as well.  Classical tattoo elements like roses can be added for a more traditional design and to emphasize the feminine nature. Delicate line work can simulate lace or weaving; it can look like jewelry.

The fleur-de-lis can interpret French culture and heritage simply or extravagantly – traditional rococo to modernized images – to suit introverted or extroverted personality types. Ribbons give it a feminine touch, iron bars a masculine character. Crowns or scepters may be drawn in; French phrases may be added.  It can fit almost anywhere on the body. Smallish fleur-de-lis tattoos are usually chosen for fingers, wrist, nape, lower back, ankle. The classic black variety seems most popular as it most closely allies with historic representations.

Currently, a fleur-de-lis tattoo is connected to Louisiana. It is an official mark of the state, and is trademarked by the New Orleans Saints. Fans of the city and/or team flash their spirit with a tattoo of it. Peregrine Honig, renowned artist in Kansas City, frequently travels to The Big Easy and remarks, “In New Orleans I see the fleur-de-lis on endless bodies.”
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Dr. David Donovan, thriving Psychologist and Arts Supporter in Kansas City, reflects, “My tattoo is very meaningful to me for a variety of personal reasons ... one, I lived in France for 3 years as a child and it was a magical time for my family. Two, I’ve always been considered a bit of an enfant terrible which is a French term for children who are outspoken (and adults who are singularly and boldly creative)…..the fleur-de-lis was another nod to France, and my way of making the whole tattoo more regal looking.”
As is urged on the website, thoughtfultattoos.com, “be sure to adorn your body with its beauty and grace like a royal seal of honor.”  The fleur-de-lis reigns supreme.

Oh, how fine it is to know a thing or two. ~ Molière

By Catherine Rush Thompson

While Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (1622-1673), known by his stage name, Molière, was born nearly 400 years ago, his words continue to inspire.  Molière’s education at the College de Claremont, beginning at age 14, followed by his study of law at the University of Orleans, may have set the stage for his subsequent work as a social critic. In his early 20’s he started a theatre company called “Illustre Théâtre” (Illustrious Theatre Company), working as both an actor and director.  Despite his company’s initial failure, he returned to theater, writing, performing and producing his own plays while touring France. With this experience Molière wrote French comedies that ranged from simple farces to sophisticated satires reflecting his times, a period of political, economic, religious, and social crises.

In her blog titled “Introduction to Molière” Lindsay Price writes: “[Molière] is often relegated to the role of comic, frivolous playwright, perhaps because his plays thrive in their physical action and their snappy dialogue. But this interpretation misses the level of biting social satire that he brought to his work.  He wrote about the flaws of humanity, the humanity that he saw all around him each day. He created characters filled with extremes: misers, hypocrites, hypochondriacs, [and] misanthropes. These characters were so driven by their extremes that they crashed through their stories with blinders on, unable to do anything but exude their fatal flaw. There are always characters who oppose these extremes in Molière’s work, expressing the moderate voice.”  His characters and social criticism still resonate today.
Molière is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language, so much so that the French language itself is familiarly called the “language of Molière.” His works have been translated into every major living language and are performed at the Comédie-Française more often than those of any other playwright today. He continues to inspire all with his works, including comedies, farces, tragicomedies, comédie-ballets and more. Molière’s influence includes words based upon his plays, such as:

• tartuffe: This term is based upon Molière’s play Tartuffe, a play addressing ethics and morality.  A “tartuffe” is a hypocrite, especially a hypocrite displaying affected morality or religious piety.
• harpagon: In the commedia-inspired play The Miser one character named Harpagon loves money. The term “harpagon” describes an obsessively greedy and cheap man.

Kansas City will soon have an expert share more about Molière’s influence from the time of France’s Louis XIV to present day. The Plaza Library is partnering with KC MOlière: 400 in 2022 to bring Dr. Virginie Roche-Tiengo, a Moliere expert, to Kansas City to present “From Louis XIV’s France to the Anglophone World Today: Molière’s Continuing Inspiration." ​​After careful consideration and monitoring of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Kansas City Public Library has TEMPORARILY CLOSED all 10 locations as of 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, until further notice. Kansas City, MO, issued a "Stay at Home" order on March 24. In compliance, KC MOlière: 400 in 2022, has cancelled Dr. Roche-Tiengo's lecture. We hope to reschedule on a future date.

Dr. Virginie Roche-Tiengo is Assistant Dean for International and Institutional Relations on the Law faculty of the Université Paris-Sorbonne Nord, where she teaches legal English. She is also head of the Master’s degree in International Relations, Public Policies and Strategy. Following her Ph.D. at the Sorbonne on Lost Unity: The Poetics of Myth in the Theatre of the Irish Playwright Brian Friel, she has published and delivered public lectures on French, American, and Irish drama. The latest international conference she co-organized in Paris, France, in October 2018 was titled Crossing Borders: Contemporary Anglophone Theatre in Europe. The conference aimed to allow academics, translators, publishers and a wide range of theatre practitioners, to confront their experience with Anglophone theatre throughout Europe. Twenty-two papers from eleven European countries (Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great-Britain, Greece, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, Serbia, Spain, and Portugal) were selected and the Play An Irish Story by Kelly Rivière was staged in the MSH (Maison des Sciences de l’Homme) Paris Nord. Virginie Roche-Tiengo is currently working on Law and Theatre as part of a new book project. Her research also focuses on Molière and the Anglophone Theatre.  

REFERENCES:
France in the 17th Century. https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195399301/obo-9780195399301-0300.xml
Hartnoll, p. 554. "Author of some of the finest comedies in the history of the theater", and Roy, p. 756. "...one of the theatre's greatest comic artists".

Introduction to Moliere. Theatrefolk: https://www.theatrefolk.com/blog/introduction-to-moliere/
Molière Facts: https://biography.yourdictionary.com/moliere">Molière</a>
Moliere – French Dramatist. Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Moliere-French-dramatist