May is the flowering season for Iris, France's national flower. Iris means "rainbow" in Greek and is also the name of the Greek goddess of rainbow. Rainbow is the product of the sun after the rain, can not be sought, so Iris also has the meaning of "light" and "freedom", plus "beautiful", iris set all three in one.
The rainbow goddess in Greek mythology is the messenger of mortals and gods, whose main task is to bring the souls of good people back to heaven from the rainbow between heaven and earth after death. The Greeks used to grow irises in cemeteries, which is the origin of its flower language "messenger of love".
In France in May, in the midst of urban flowers, on country roads, in neighboring backyards, you can see irises blooming everywhere. Its flowers are beautiful and noble in color, like flower fairies dancing in the spring light. Iris flowers come in a variety of colors, including purple blue, yellow, white, and pink. The French especially favor the purple-blue iris, which is the color they think represents tranquility and loyalty.
The petals of the iris flower are layered, it seems that the six petals are divided into two layers, after reading its story, I know that the lower layer is actually a flower holder.
In French history, the status of the iris as the national flower has a long history. Some kings loved the iris very much, engraving it into coins and seals, embroidering it on the royal robe worn when he ascended the throne, as well as flags, hat emblems, furniture, fences, etc., and there were beautiful patterns of iris flowers everywhere.
Historically, there have also been some kings who, in order to oppose their predecessors who were overthrown by themselves, wanted to tear down everything with the Iris symbol, but when the dynasty changed, they changed back. Napollon replaced the iris with an eagle.
The iris flower has won the hearts of the people, and various romantic stories containing the meaning of love, law, and reason have been passed down from generation to generation, and the status of the national flower has finally been retained.
According to historical story, in 1376, King Charles V represented the three petals of the iris flower as the Holy Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity. It means that the political system must be like an iris flower, and the three powers must be separated from top to bottom in order to achieve balance and stability.
According to the myth, a fairy plucked the iris and blew it intoxicating music, which won the heart of the fairy.
In 1429, when Charles VII granted Joan of Arc's brothers the status of nobility, he granted them the use of a coat of arms with an iris motif.
There is also a legend that the rainbow once saved the life of a French king in the 6th century, when he saw the rainbow rising from the river, he felt that it was the instruction of the heavenly blessing, so he disregarded the depth of the river and crossed the river on horseback to escape the enemy's pursuit.
In modern times, there is a $53.9 million oil painting "Iris", one of the most expensive works of art in the world, written by the impressionist painter Van Gogh with world influence.
Since ancient times, from the royal family to the common people, they have a special love for irises. The French people, who are romantic by nature, feel that they can fully feel countless romantic codes from the iris: exquisite beauty, the perishability of passion, the wandering of love, the label of nobility, the fate of life...