The Iris Florentia Lily: The Ancient Symbol of Florence

The myth is beautiful. The iris, present in nature in different shades of color thanks also to the species called giaggioli, has inherited the name of Iris: the nymph of the rainbow, messenger of Juno, who by launching herself from Mount Olympus creates a colored arch between the sky and the earth, a bridge of light that connects the world of the gods with that of men. When spring arrives, the iris stands powerfully in the Tuscan countryside,

The iris florentia lily, also known as giaggiolo, has been the symbol of Florence for over a thousand years. This special flower, also called iris, has a profound meaning for all Florentines. Although it is scientifically known as iris, in the local dialect it is always and only “lily”: the lily of the gonfalon of Florence, the purple lily of the Fiorentina football team. Florence itself is often nicknamed “the lily city”.

Iris grows wild along the Arno Valley and in the Chianti hills, presenting color variants such as Iris Pallida (light purple), Iris Germanica (dark purple) and Iris Florentina (white veined with blue). Walking through the Florentine or Chianti countryside in spring, the purple iris is everywhere, adorning fields, olive groves, gardens and woods.

Origin and History of the Lily of Florence

Originally white on a red background, the Florentine lily was transformed into red on a white field by the Guelphs in 1266. The “lily” has been a symbol of the city since the 11th century, with legends linking it to the goddess Flora and the Roman founding of Florence in 59 BC. During the Middle Ages, the white lily with blue veins was a symbol of purity and associated with the Madonna.

The symbol was used by the Florentines already in the First Crusade (1096-1099). The Guelphs, in 1251, inverted the colors of the lily, marked their victory over the Ghibellines. Even Dante, in the Divine Comedy, mentions the lily as a glorious symbol of Florence.

In 1811, the Napoleonic government attempted to replace the lily with a new symbol, but the strong dissent of the Florentines preserved the original symbol. The lily, without the stamens, is still present on the banners of various municipalities in the province, such as Castelfiorentino and Scarperia.

The Fiorino: The Coin of Florence

In 1252, Florence minted the first gold florin, a 3.54 gram 24-carat gold coin depicting the lily and St. John the Baptist. It quickly became the preferred coin in Europe, thanks to the Florentine banking power, with submultiples such as the silver florin and the copper florin.

The Iris: A Flower of Inestimable Value

Few growers of iris (Iris Pallida) remain in Chianti. This flower is precious for the essences extracted from its rhizomes, used in the finest French perfumes for centuries.

The Myth of the Iris

The iris, named after the rainbow nymph Iris, symbolizes the bridge between heaven and earth. In spring, it towers over the European fields, often associated with the Madonna. In Flemish art, such as the Portinari Triptych, the iris appears in sacred scenes. Linnaeus classified the "lily" of Florence as Iris Florentina.

Interesting is the story of the "fleur-de-lis" (lily of France), linked to King Louis VII who, after a battle in a land rich in irises, adopted the flower as a symbol of victory, with "fleur de Louis" becoming "fleur-de-lys" (lily).