Fleur de Lis Costume Trim:
A Vibrant and Versatile Design

For either stage or re-enactor costume trim, fleur de lis trim is extremely versatile and useful. It is wonderfully location and time period non-specific. The fleur de lis has appeared in multiple cultures over hundreds, even thousands of years. It also has several different symbolic meanings. This article will explain the different types and uses of fleur de lis trim in costuming.

   What Is the Fleur de Lis?

The chances are very good that you've probably seen a fleur de lis symbol before—they're everywhere. You just may not have known it by that name.

The fleur de lis is a symbol in European heraldry of a stylized, three-petaled flower. The name "fleur de lis" literally mean "lily flower" in French—although some argue it looks more like an iris.

Although the interpretation of a stylized flower is the most common and accepted interpretation, some argue that the fleur de lis resembles more a bird (usually a dove), or a trident, arrowhead, or double-bladed axe, giving it a slight military flair.

What Does the Fleur de Lis Symbolize?

The fleur de lis is most commonly associated (as you may have guessed from its name) with France—in particular, with the pre-Revolution French Monarchy. Legend holds that the fleur de lis, as a symbol of French royalty, goes back to the conversion to Christianity of the Frankish King Clovis I in 493. The symbol remains closely identified with France even today. In terms of costuming, this means fleur de lis trim can be used with any French costume from any time period from the fall of Rome to the present day.

The second most common symbolic interpretation of the fleur de lis is as a religious symbol. The three petals are associated with the Trinity (God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) in Christianity, and particularly in Catholicism.

In Christian scripture the lily flower symbolizes purity and chastity. As the Virgin Mary is considered in scripture to be "a lily among thorns", the fleur de lis (especially white ones) have become strongly associated with the Virgin Mary.

In North America, the fleur de lis represents an association with the French colonists who originally founded a particular place. The most common use of the fleur de lis in America is by the French-speaking provinces of Quebec in Canada and Cajun Louisiana in the United States. The fleur de lis is also one of the symbols of New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina, the fleur de lis emerged as a symbol of support for the hurricane victims.

Types of Fleur de Lis Trim

The two basic types of fleur de lis designs are French Ancient and French Modern. French Ancient features a solid color background "dotted" with dozens of tiny fleur de lis. French Modern consists of three much larger fleur de lis in a pyramid arrangement.

In stage costuming, French Ancient makes a poor costume trim. The audience sees any costume on stage at twenty feet distant and moving. From this vantage point, French Ancient fleur de lis will appear only as dots. If anything, French Ancient should only be used as a base fabric for clothing, such as a dress or tunic—and then, only if the pre-printed fabric with the French Ancient fleur de lis design can be found reasonably easily and cheaply. For stage costume trim, stick with French Modern—the audience may actually be able to see and appreciate this larger fleur de lis trim.

For hobbyist and re-enactor costume trim, however, either French Ancient or French Modern will work. Although French Ancient continues to be a better pattern for a base fabric (especially since the little fleur de lis symbols can be seen up close), it can be used for a wide costume trim.

French Modern, with the fleur de lis in a pyramid arrangement, will be hard to find unless the trim is very wide. More commonly, French Modern fleur de lis trim comes with the fluer de lis arranged in a row. This continues to be a superior choice for hem, sleeve, and neckline trimming, especially if the trim is rather narrow.

Finally a third type of fleur de lis trim exists that is as beautiful as it is historically inaccurate. In this costume trim, the fleur de lis are arranged in a French Modern style row. The special feature is this designn has vines connecting the fleur de lis to each other. After all, the fleur de lis symbol is supposed to be a flower, right? There is little or no evidence that such a fleur de lis trim existed prior to at least the nineteenth century, but many theatrical and hobbyist costumes are attracted to the graceful beauty of the trim.

After all, the chances of having a medieval heraldry professor in the audience are pretty slim—assuming they even notice or care.

To see some of our other trim designs click below:

Celtic Trim Celtic Knot Trim Celtic Griffin Trim Celtic Cross Trim Celtic Running Dog Trim Celtic Beastie Trim Celtic Saxon Knot Trim Greek Key Trim Fleur de Lis Trim Renaissance Trim Medieval Trim Vestment Trim Floral Trim Scroll Trim Geometric Trim Embroidered Trim Sewing Trim Jacquard Trim

#3482 Pink Black Fleur de Lis trim