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Use the Fleur-de-lis? Still working on my Sisters of Battle pinups for my Baneblade and just got around to thinking about why the use them so much.

For Brand recognition and such. Besides it is kind of a nun tradition since lillies of the fields?

I'm sure GW thinks they have some sort of copyright on it.

I do not believe an in-universe reason has ever been stated. It's much the same with many other army symbols in 40k - unless we assume stuff like the Black Templars being direct descendants of the Knights Hospitaller etc.

From a real world perspective, of course, it is because the design process of the Sisters of Battle was highly influenced by (amongst a few other inspirations) the now-sainted Jeanne d'Arc, who was French and said to have carried the fleur-de-lis (which was the French monarchy's royal symbol back then) on her banner.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc

According to wikipedia, the fleur-de-lis also has a religious meaning - being associated with purity, chastity and virginity, or the Holy Trinity (note the lily having three petals). It is not entirely impossible that this meaning would have survived until the 38rd millennium (or earlier, depending on when they would have adopted this symbol).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleur_de_lis#Symbolism_in_religion_and_art

Further note that the Adepta Sororitas in 40k have a Holy Trinity as well, only that their trinity is bolter, melta and flamer. So in a way, one could say that maybe the lily would stand for these three weapons. On the other hand, the fleur-de-lis is supposed to stand for the Sisterhood as a whole, not just the Orders Militant. Also, it is well possible that they have always used this icon even before they were discovered by Vandire and actually equipped with these weapons, back when the Sororitas were just a little cult on the backwater world of San Leor.

Its a Joan of Arc reference. The fleur di li is symbolic of France and that time so a warrior women wearing such a symbol is easily identifiable to the popular imagination.

Sorry skipped to bottom somebody already ansawred.

infinite_array wrote:I'm sure GW thinks they have some sort of copyright on it.

I'm with you on this one. I think they use it just to claim that it's a copyrighted image.

Locclo wrote:

infinite_array wrote:I'm sure GW thinks they have some sort of copyright on it.

I'm with you on this one. I think they use it just to claim that it's a copyrighted image.

Nah, seeing how widespread (and ancient) the symbol actually is there's no way to claim any sort of copyright on it. The only claim GW can put up is their female power-armored warriors bearing this symbol - they could present a case against another manufacturer producing a similar line of models.

Joan of Arc might be one thing they thought of, but it's also used by most scout organisations. Could be that GW got the idea from there by grimdarking the scout ideals. Teaching youngsters all kinds of useful skills, the right way to behave in society, the right values...

Spetulhu wrote:Joan of Arc might be one thing they thought of, but it's also used by most scout organisations. Could be that GW got the idea from there by grimdarking the scout ideals. Teaching youngsters all kinds of useful skills, the right way to behave in society, the right values...

Then they'd have used it for the Schola Progenium instead, I think. Sisters of Battle really are like an army of Jeannes d'Arc. Though I do recall other (speculated) influences as well, such as the so-called Fish Speakers from Dune.

Lynata wrote:I do recall other (speculated) influences as well, such as the so-called Fish Speakers from Dune.

Those actually make sense given that GW has said Sisters practice a martial art that allows them to accomplish miracles.

As long as they don't create the wrong sort of symbol and trigger the chaos equivalent of a improvised explosive device/suitcase nuke. (I loved that bit from Creatures Anathema...)

Every time I see a fleur on someone's pick up truck (a football team, I believe) I always think they play SOB.

pretre wrote:Every time I see a fleur on someone's pick up truck (a football team, I believe) I always think they play SOB.

Well the SOB pinups on my tanks don't mean I play them.

Will be quite ironic when I fight them

In the city I currently live in, municipal vehicles all bear the symbol below.



I keep expecting them to spout squads of fanatic arsonists for some reason.

Which would be awesome.
"Waste collection service, we've come to pick up your garbage. By the way, did I say "pick up" ? LET IT BURN ! IN THE NAME OF THE EMPEROR !"

Hyd wrote:Which would be awesome.
"Waste collection service, we've come to pick up your garbage. By the way, did I say "pick up" ? LET IT BURN ! IN THE NAME OF THE EMPEROR !"

Lol

Pic saved, thanks for the lulz.
Can't quite see, the voiceless one looks like she's attached to a Penitent Engine...

Hyd wrote:Can't quite see, the voiceless one looks like she's attached to a Penitent Engine...

*lol* I only spotted that now, thanks for pointing it out.

I guess her sadface as well as the "..." are meant to express disappointment at the fact of not being able to get through the door. XD