The Birth and Infancy of St. Stephen (detail) 1465

This detail of a fresco depicting “The Birth and Infancy of St. Stephen” was painted by Filippo Lippi in the 15th century. Here, a young St. Stephen is presented to a figure adorned in ecclesiastical garments. Notice the fleur-de-lis motif that arches overhead, a symbol deeply entwined with French royalty and, more broadly, notions of purity and authority. Its stylized form has ancient roots, appearing in various guises across different cultures, from heraldic emblems to religious iconography. The act of presentation itself is a powerful gesture, resonating with similar scenes of offering and dedication found in both classical and religious art. Think of the presentation of offerings to deities in ancient Greek votive reliefs or the presentation of Christ in the Temple. These recurring motifs speak to a universal human impulse to consecrate and sanctify. They tap into our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations of reverence and devotion. The journey of this symbol underscores how visual language transcends time.