The Lily and the Rose as Cultural Symbols

Tracing Transmissions through Time

Abstract

The Lily and the Rose occupy a special place in France and Portugal, respectively. This paper delves into the specificities of the significance associated with each flower, in the light of historical periods and recent trends. The investment of meaning, along with its subsequent re-appropriations, transmissions and transfers, form the crux of our reflections, guided by Régis Debray’s insights on mediology. The paper reveals the two flowers’ rich symbolism and ability to take on new layers of meaning as they adapt to the exigencies of power figures. It also underscores the vital role played by human agents in deploying material and strategic vectors for ongoing meaning (re)construction and showcases the horizontal-to-vertical level shifts in influencers.