Il Giglio (Part 3 of 3)

The giglio has been a symbol of Florence since the 11th century and possibly earlier. 

Then, the symbol was a white flower on a red background, like the banner in the St. Reparata legend. 

In the 13th century,  two rival groups, the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, clashed in Florence and elsewhere in the region.  The Guelph coat of arms was typically a red symbol on a white field.  When the Guelph party gained the upper hand in Florence, they reversed the old giglio symbol to become a red flower on a white background.

The giglio depicted in flowers

The symbol has been very important over the centuries.  When Florence started to mint its own widely used gold coins in 1252, the giglio appeared on the front of the coin, known as the Florin.

The importance of il giglio to Florentines cannot be understated.  For example, when it came time to dedicate the new cathedral under construction in the heart of Florence, the name selected in 1412 was an obvious choice--the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, or the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower (or the Virgin of the Flower). 

Over the preceding centuries, the religious importance of Mary had grown significantly in Florence and elsewhere.  The reference to the Flower is likely many symbols combined into one.  The Flower refers to Florence and its symbol il giglio.  The Flower likely also refers to a symbol in nearly every Florentine painting of the Annunciation during the Gothic and Renaissance eras.  In the paintings, the Archangel Gabriel is depicted delivering news of the impending virgin birth to Mary while holding a flower.  In Florentine paintings, the flower is usually a long white lily and represents virginity, purity, birth, renewal, Springtime (since the Annunciation occurred at the beginning of Spring, 9 months before the blessed event) and the divine.  So, dedicating the new cathedral to Saint Mary of the Flower was probably inevitable. 

The Annunciation by Sandro Botticelli (1485)

In the early 1880's, Napoleon Bonaparte occupied and governed a portion of Italy, including Tuscany.  Among the many changes that Napoleon's government made was banning the giglio since it inspired such fervent loyalty among Florentines.  Naturally, the Florentines protested and Napoleon's government relented. 

Whether the giglio is a historical, religious or secular symbol, the giglio will likely remain Florence's symbol for a VERY long time. 

Below are a collection of giglio symbols from all over Florence.

A ceiling panel in a Florentine palace 

Banner of the Sbandieratori Citta di Firenze (Flag-throwers of Florence). 

A sceptre of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, topped with Il Giglio

Close up of painted shields on the Palazzo Vecchio.  On the left, the red cross represents the citizens of Florence and was also the Guelph coat of arms.  On the right, the giglio represents Florence.

A giglio banner in St. James Episcopal Church in Florence

A procession led by the municipal police of Florence

In the silver cross below, small giglio adorn the cross, as depicted in the close up photo below.

Florence Mayor Dario Nardella at a ribbon-cutting ceremony

Thanks for learning more about the giglio with us.