Fleur-de-Lis
In his dream, Bohort sees the lily: a sign of mercy, duty, and moral reflection. Like the Grail itself, it calls the knight to act with virtue, guiding him toward wisdom and the path of true honor.
Introduction#
The fleur-de-lis, or “lily,” is a symbol of purity, virtue, and chivalric honor. In Arthurian legend, it appears in visions and heraldry as a guide toward moral insight and spiritual discernment. Most famously, Sir Bohort (Bors de Ganis) dreams of a lily representing both his brother Lionel, whom he struck down, and a damsel he rescued.
The vision serves as a reminder—not only to Bohort, but to all who undertake the Grail Quest—that true knighthood demands more than strength or skill in battle. It requires courage tempered by compassion, and action guided by reflection.
Alternative Names | Fleur de Lis, Fleur-de-lys
Meaning | French: fleur lis (flower lily)
History and Symbolism#
The fleur-de-lis, a stylized lily, has been used for centuries as a symbol of purity, virtue, and divine favor. In medieval Europe, it appeared widely in heraldry, royal insignia, and religious art. Most notably, it became associated with the French monarchy, where it signified both political authority and spiritual legitimacy.
The three petals of the fleur-de-lis have often been interpreted as representing faith, wisdom, and chivalric honor—ideals central to medieval knighthood. Beyond its royal associations, the lily also carried strong spiritual meaning, frequently linked to the Virgin Mary and the Christian virtues of mercy, humility, and moral clarity.
Its appearance in Arthurian literature draws upon these layers of meaning, reinforcing the idea that knighthood is as much a moral vocation as a martial one.
Bohort, Lionel, and the Dream#
Within the context of the Grail Quest, the fleur-de-lis appears in a vision experienced by Sir Bohort. In his dream, the lily symbolizes two deeply personal and morally charged events:
1. Lionel
His brother Lionel, whom Bohort had struck down in combat—a moment that underscores the tragic consequences of violence, even when committed in the name of duty.
2. The damsel
A damsel he rescued, representing mercy, responsibility, and the protection of the vulnerable.
The dream functions as both a personal reckoning and a symbolic message. The lily calls Bohort to reflection, penance, and ethical discernment, confronting him with the tension between necessary action and moral responsibility.
The Connection to the Grail Quest#
The fleur-de-lis and the Grail are united by their shared role as symbols of moral and spiritual testing. In the Grail Quest, knights are judged not by prowess alone, but by humility, compassion, and the wisdom of their choices. Bohort’s dream mirrors this principle: the lily serves as a sign, guiding him toward insight and moral integrity.
Like the Grail, the fleur-de-lis reveals truth rather than power. It demands that the knight understand the consequences of his actions and align his conduct with virtue. Bohort’s recognition of his obligations—toward both his brother and the rescued damsel—parallels the trials faced by all Grail knights, where ethical clarity proves as vital as courage.
Legacy and Interpretation#
Over time, the fleur-de-lis retained its dual identity as both a heraldic emblem and a spiritual symbol. In Arthurian literature, it stands as a subtle but powerful reminder of the values underlying the Grail Quest: loyalty, mercy, virtue, and the courage to confront one’s own moral failings.
For Bohort, the lily is more than a dream image—it is a call to conscience, a personal test of integrity, and a quiet echo of the spiritual trials that define the Grail itself.
Notes on Interpretation#
The association of the fleur-de-lis with purity, virtue, moral discernment, and divine favor reflects a synthesis of medieval heraldic practice, Christian symbolism, and Arthurian literary tradition. The specific dream of Bohort involving the lily appears in the Vulgate Grail tradition, where symbolic visions function as ethical instruction rather than literal prophecy.
Sources and References#
Vulgate Estoire del Saint Graal | 1220-1235
Vulgate Queste del Saint Graal | 1215-1230
Vulgate Mort Artu | 1215-1230
Post-Vulgate Queste del Saint Graal | 1230-1240
Le Morte Darthur | Sir Thomas Malory, 1469-1470
Perceval, or Le Conte del Graal | Chrétien de Troyes, late 12th century
Peredur | 13th century
Historical and Symbolic Context#
Heraldry: Its Origins and Meaning | Michel Pastoureau
The Princely Court: Medieval Courts and Culture | Malcolm Vale
The Gothic Image: Religious Art in France of the Thirteenth Century | Émile Mâle
Grail Scholarship and Interpretation#
The Holy Grail: imagination and Belief | Richard Barber
The Grail: From Celtic Myth to Christian Symbol | Roger Sherman Loomis
The Hero with a Thousand Faces | Joseph Campbell
