The iris has gathered rich lore through the centuries by symbolizing royalty and fertility to the ancient Egyptians, patriotism to the Buddhists, and Christ’s death to the Christians.
The iris was named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, a messenger for the gods.
Certain iris, probably the crested type, symbolized woe to the Greeks because the markings on the blooms looked like the Greek words Ai, Ai, a cry of grief.
In ancient Egypt, the iris was held sacred, the symbol of royalty and also fertility. It had a similar meaning in Assyria, Persia, and, later, Byzantium.
During the time of the Crusades, the iris, with its sword-like leaves, became the symbol of the death of Christ.
Religious paintings were done by Flemish artists who frequently included this symbol in the foreground.
Related: Tips On Blooming Growing Iris
Symbolisms In Different Countries
To the Buddhists of Japan, the iris is an expression of patriotism.
In England until the reign of Henry VIII, and in France, the fleur-de-lis (meaning literally “flower of the lily” but a stylized conception of the leaf blades of the iris) appeared on the royal banner, symbolizing Christian royalty.
Medieval and Renaissance artists often incorporated the fleur-de-lis in their work, expressing God’s majesty; the three parts of the emblem were thought to represent the Trinity.
Also, the fleur-de-lis was often carved in stone on French Gothic structures.
The iris is the official flower of Tennessee, France, and the largely French-speaking province of Quebec, Canada.
Shakespeare, in his plays, referred to the iris as either a flag or a flower-de-luce. (I had always believed Shakespeare was a gardener who wrote plays when the iris was dormant!)
He reveals his knowledge of the growing habit of the waterside iris in this passage from Antony and Cleopatra: “This common body, Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream, Goes to and back, lackeying the varying tide, To rot itself with motion.”
Again, in King Henry V, Shakespeare writes: “. . . what sayest thou, my fair flower-de-luce?” And in King Henry VI, a messenger announces his news vividly by saying, “. . . Cropp’d are the flower-de-luces in your arms . . .”
44659 By Hazel Ward Adcock