| Also termed Flower-de-luce; is variously depicted. As to its origin antiquaries are at variance, some supposing it to be the flower of the iris, others that of the common lily, whose name "lys" has a certain resemblance to that of Leys, or Louis, a common name of the Kings of France, while a third party, with perhaps more probability, suppose it to be the head of a partizan, or halberr. When the field, or any charge, is promiscuously scattered over with de-li', it is termed strewed, powdered, or replemished with fleur-de-lis; or it is said to be Semée-de-lis. |