Fleur-de-Lis Door Mat—The Meaning Behind the Three Petals
When it comes to entryway matting there are a number of available choices, from fully rubberized options to fully coir mats that showcase the beauty of the material. As the construction, of coir mats move away from tightly bundled bristled rods and onto compacted cropped brush-like coir surfaces, which are mounted upon a resilient and slip resistant PVC backing, a more artistic change can be observed. Suddenly elegant, whimsical, and just plain cute hand-stenciled graphics become more and more available—among which, the fleur-de-lis door mat is one of the more stunning and beautiful designs. Unlike some of the other graphics that are chosen and used, these particular floral door mats carry with them a rich history that can go as far back as ancient times! The use of this stylized lily comes with a plethora of meanings, along with elegance and historical context. These designer door mats come in a variety of styles and sizes, allowing for multiple uses of the famous and well known symbol. A French door mat won’t just look beautiful in your entryway, but it will also provide all the durability and resilience that is expected from a naturally strong material like coir, which helps to protect your interior floors from messes and damage. Even your guests can be protected against possible accidents thanks to the added grip provided by the PVC backing that will help ensure this French door mat stays in place even in wet conditions.
Although the stylized symbol of the lily seems like a predominately French design, the fleur-de-lis has been in use for far longer! Here’s a bit of history to help you understand a bit more about these beautiful floral door mats:
- Slip Resistant Applications
I lived in San Francisco for a while, just down the street from a public library. Winters in San Francisco ranged from extremely foggy to extremely wet, but that hardly kept me from climbing the steep hill up to one of my favorite getaways! However, due to the moisture that accumulated outside, trekking over the tile floor in the library lobby was always an adventure. Granted, the library was going through heavy renovations, but once it was all done and they had laid out their wide door mat which was made out of rubber and which covered the length of the double doors perfectly, my near slip accidents were a thing of the past! Public facilities are located in nearly every city across America, which means vastly different climates—from rain to snow and everything in between. Rubberized industrial door mats are resistant to water and often feature a traction rich surface which makes them perfect for slip resistant applications!
- Trip Resistant Applications
Oversized door mats are available in all rubber or in rubber and coir blends, both of which offer great traction and grip. Rubber isn’t just resistant to water; it also contains a high coefficient of friction, which actively works towards maintaining a firmer grip with items that are placed on it. This natural grip is paired with a rich traction design, which will make this mat a great trip-and-stumble resistant surface. Remember, falls aren’t always due to slips born from environmental circumstances! Any place that plays host to young children, elderly citizens, and even crowds of people will make visitors susceptible to accidental pushes, stumbles, and trips.
- In Ancient Times
Fleur-de-lis or rather “flower of the lily” is a symbol meant to depict a flower in mid bloom. The single peak and the two drooping sides represent the petals, while the three bottom peaks represent lower petals and a stalk. However, the symbol itself hardly looks like a lily, and this may have to do with the fact that early on in history an iris was in fact known as a lily! By far the fleur-de-lis symbol resembles an iris much more than it does a lily. According to Tom Streissguth a contributor for eHow, “the fleur-de-lis [has] been found in the remains of several ancient civilizations, including Babylon, Persia, Scythia and Egypt.” So if you happen to be thinking about getting a fleur-de-lis door mat for your home, know that you are in good historical company!
- French Royalty and Christianity
- The beautiful flower symbol that is found on these designer door mats was adopted by French Royalty in the 1100’s by Louis VI or possibly by Louis VII (there’s no clear consensus among historians). This was, in large part, due to a legend that stated an angel had delivered the flower to Colvis the King of the Franks (somewhere between 481 to 511 C.E.) upon his baptism and conversion to Christianity. Still, others think that Colvis adopted the flower as a symbol after being guided by lilies across a dangerous river, which ensured him victory in an important battle. The fleur-de-lis door mat can also have an even more religious connotation in that the three top petals of the symbol have been used to symbolize the Holy Trinity. The lily itself has also often been used to represent the purity and chastity of the Virgin Mary. The design of the symbol also denotes balance in its perfect symmetry.
- Use in North America
In the US the fleur-de-lis is readily recognizable in places like New Orleans and Detroit—all of which were originally French settlements. In fact, did you know that in 2005 the fleur-de-lis became the official symbol of the state of Louisiana? A French door mat is a great way to show a bit of pride in your state’s rich heritage!
- In Modern Context
In a more modern context, the fleur-de-lis symbol that is readily found upon our elegant floral door mats can be found in many other places. Adopted perhaps for its symmetry and representation of balance, excellence, illumination, and purity—this symbol is found more and more in home décor. However a French door mat is a lot more than just a pretty decoration! For entryway matting options, the beauty of the fleur-de-lis design will definitely not take away from the functionality of the mat itself.
- Designer door mats are available in a variety of styles, shapes, materials, and sizes—all of which can help you make a personal statement or aid in the established décor of any entryway. The hand-stenciled design of a fleur-de-lis door mat is among the most elegant and elaborate designs, rich with symbolism. It’s a perfect choice for anyone who wants to add history, elegance, and functionality to their front door.
