Use of Name and Figure 



P^ il^ ^|HE IRIS has been an inspiration not 

 I alone to the poet but also to the artist and 

 \ the artisan. Its magic has touched the heart 

 and the head. It has served to express alike the feel- 

 ings of the lowly and the conceptions of the most 

 gifted. 



FLOWER LANGUAGE. Named for the celestial 

 messenger, in flower-language the Iris signifies "a 

 message", or "a messenger"; sometimes, " ardor", 

 or "my compliments". 



To France, sweet Suffolk: let me hear from thee; 

 For whereso'er thou art in this world's globe, 

 ril have an Iris that shall find thee out. 



Shakespeare: 2 King Henry VI. 



METAPHOR. The Fleur-de-lis being an emblem 

 of royalty, the name "Fleur-de-lis" was sometimes 

 used for "Our Saviour". 



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