The three-petal lily, also known as the fleur de lis, represents faith, hope and charity and lilies of all sorts are tied to symbolism associated with religion, purity, new life. My maternal grandmother’s name was Lily but I never met her, but in small ways across the entirety of my life, I’ve felt her presence and I’m only now beginning to understand.
No one in my family knew until recently that we had French ancestry, tied to my grandmother Lily. My dad, had he known, would’ve been gobsmacked for sure! I begged and pleaded with him so that I could study abroad in France – not once, but twice – and I was entranced by old stone, scrollwork and images of fleur de lis wherever I found them in my travels. Years later, I realized how strongly the imagery of three lilies – no matter how abstract or scrolly – figured into my home and hearth sensibilities.
I appreciate all types of interior design, but I’ve always been drawn to representations of lilies in traditional home decor. To test my theory about their pervasiveness, I stepped away from writing this piece to snap a few random photos of things in our home which conjure “lily-like” designs. Here’s the photo collage I created of the pics:
What’s the point? I had no idea how near my grandmother’s been – for years – in my head, heart…and it turns out, in my home. Whenever I tried to explain the appeal of lilies to friends and family, I just gave some version of a “I dunno, it feels like home when I look at it lilies, fleur de lis or scrollwork” and that was that.
When the hubs and I tackled a big design conundrum involving the relocation of three lead glass panels in our house, I was struck, once again, by the reminders of lilies and Grandma Lily. Not because I’m a gardener (oh my, no – I’m not at all) but because lily imagery brings a sense of calm, and perhaps, a little smidgen of the grandmother I never met, sweet Lily.
If you have a minute to read about the lead glass “Lily” windows, take a peek at my post on Heart of the Matter today.
Vicki 💗
Victoria Ponders... 
It sounds as though you’d have a special affinity for the province of Quebec. Their flag is 4 fleurs de lis on a blue and white background.
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Yes, Jane! But we didn’t know about the connections, ancestry-wise, until very recently. Quebec is where Lily’s family was from…and we think their North American journey moved them there after arriving first in Port Royale. So much to uncover/discover…still! 😉
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Very interesting. I didn’t think there was much movement between Port Royale (Acadia) and Quebec, especially in the early days. They were pretty distinct settlements. You have lots to uncover and discover!
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Yep – we need to better understand the family history to see how it aligns…a mystery and a research project all rolled into one. 😉
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Awesome! I love how your grandmother “speaks” to you through that symbol 😎
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Thanks, Todd! She does! 😊
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I might say that, even without a conscious plan, you have helped to carry Grandma Lily into your life and connect with her in a meaningful way. Grandmas will find a way to make an impact…
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Thank you, Deb – those are such perfect words – connecting with her in a meaningful way…remembering her and feeling the impact of her life, her story. Love that! 💕
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I strongly believe people and places are firmly imprinted in our DNA. You were always drawn to Lily – what a gift! Did you ever make it to France? If not, I hope you will some day.
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Thanks for that Maggie — I feel the same even though it’s hard to explain. And yes — I was able to go to France twice and couldn’t shake the feeling of familiarity while I was there…not knowing about Lily’s heritage (we thought her family was German) and one of the small villages I especially fell in love with? Yep. Birthplace of her grandparents. Crazy good…and it speaks to your thought about imprinting. xo! 😘
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Your comment left me with chills. The connection over what could be centuries! Lily may have had a hand in guiding you to that village. 🥰
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Thanks, Maggie. Yes…putting those pieces together left me a little wobbly…I couldn’t believe the connection and kept checking…and double-checking to be sure it was the same place I’d visited. Some things defy explanation, don’t they? xo! 😘
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Indeed! 🥰
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❤️❤️❤️
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This is incredible, Vicki! I love how, though you’ve never met your grandma, she’s all around you. Also, I never knew that the fleur de lis was representing a three-peatal lily, so that’s for the tidbit!
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Thanks, Erin — so many loved ones that I’ve never met. I feel blessed and grateful to have this extra special connection to Lily. xo! 💕 Now if only there was a fleur-de-lis emoji….hmmmm!
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Faith, hope and charity – I never know that symbolism. I love that the design resonates so deeply within you. It speaks of an ancient wisdom and a source of home bigger than we can understand. I suspect your dad and Lily are very near and are applauding!! 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤
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Ahhh…I sure hope so! I wish he’d lived long enough to put these pieces together with me! 😘
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I know — me too. 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤
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😉❤️😉
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Oh, I love how you kept them in your future design. They look amazing. After your done with this renovation, I see a future calling. Victoria and Hubster’s Design Studio! I can see it now. Next stop, HGTV and your own show. Love too the use of gobsmacked. I thought you wrote about that in the past. It’s funny how that word has really come on in usage over the past couple of years. Love it.
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What a memory you have! I did write about “gobsmacked” bc I wasn’t sure it was a real word. 🤣 And…thanks for the giggle about HGTV…I don’t think our “banter” is suitable for TV! 😳
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My memory can be sketchy so I’m glad I got that one right. Oh no, I think it would be the perfect banter. Just what every remodeling couple needs to hear. Ha ha.
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Bleep…bleep…bleep! There might not be much “banter”! 🤣
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I love how you have connected your love of lilies with your grandmother. Isn’t that interesting that you’ve discovered your French heritage? My dad was given a DNA test and he thought he was 100% Finn. It turns out he’s 98% Finn and 2% Neanderthal.
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It IS a little wild and fun! 😉Thanks, Elizabeth — and you’re not joking about your dad and 2% Neanderthal?
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I’m not joking!
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Oh! Your comment made me giggle! 🤣😘🤣
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😅😅😅
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I first came across the fleur de lis as a youngster when it became a symbol of the New Orleans Saints football team. It has always been a favorite of mine, and obviously a favorite of yours as well!
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Yes! Thanks for prompting that fond memory, Bruce! We lived briefly in New Orleans when I was growing up — love the Saints logo! 😉
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Being of French ancestry this post has my heart smiling in so many ways! I resonate with the French lifestyle, and I have enjoyed visiting France several times. Who wouldn’t like the design elements of fleur de lis?!?!?!?!
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Oh, thank you, Mary! The designs really speak to us, don’t they? I love that we share this fun ancestral connection! 🥰
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