Dauphin of France, 1360, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This lithograph from around 1888 by the Kinney Tobacco Company depicts the Dauphin of France in 1360, adorned with symbols of power and nobility. Prominently, we see the fleur-de-lis, a stylized lily, a longstanding emblem of French royalty. The fleur-de-lis evokes both religious and political power. Its association with the Virgin Mary links the monarchy to divine favor and purity, its adoption as a heraldic symbol by the French monarchy underscores its claim to authority, echoing the scepters and royal standards of antiquity. Even today, the echo of the fleur-de-lis reverberates in various contexts, from architecture to branding, continuing to evoke ideas of prestige and tradition. Observe how the modern corporation employs these enduring motifs, tapping into the deep-seated human need for symbols of trust, legitimacy, and order. They have resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings, a testament to the cyclical nature of cultural memory.