The fleur-de-lis or fleur-de-lys (plural: fleurs-de-lis) is a stylized lily (in French, fleur means “flower”, and lis means “lily”) used as a decorative design. It may be religious, political, dynastic, artistic, emblematic, or symbolic especially in French heraldry. It is no surprise the emblem found all over the state of Louisiana has its roots in French culture, stemming from the French colonization of the Americas, namely present day Louisiana. Following Hurricane Katrina, the fleur-de-lis has been widely used in New Orleans as a symbol of grassroots support for New Orleans’ recovery. In 2008, Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal signed a bill into law making the fleur-de-lis an official symbol of the state.
