The symbol of fleur de lis, depicting a stylized lily or lotus flower, has many meanings. Traditionally, it has been used to represent French loyalty, and in that sense it is said to signify perfection, light and life. Legend has it that an angle presented Clovis, the Merovingian king of the Franks, with a golden lily as a symbol of purification upon his conversion to Christianity. Others claim that Clovis adopted the symbol when water lilies showed him how to safely cross a river and thus succeed in battle. In the 14th century, the fleur-de-lis was often incorporated into the family insignia that was sewn on the knight's surcoat, which was worn over their coat of mail, thus the term, "coat of arms." The original purpose of identification in battle developed into a system of social status designations after 1483 when King Edmund IV established the Heralds' College to supervise the granting of armor insignia. MEASUREMENTS Height: 3 1/2" Width: 1 5/8" Length: 1/2" Overall Length: 1 3/4" Deep