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Paris: Meaning and History

Embroidered flag patch — Paris

History of the flag

The coat of arms of the city of Paris depicts a nave sailing down the Seine. The nave embodies the trade of Lutetia, which became Paris.

It is traditional to say that the colors of Paris are at the origin of the French tricolor.

What do the elements of the flag mean?

  • The motto of the city of Paris is written in Latin ‘Fluctuat Nec Mergitur’ : ‘Battered by the waves, but never sinking’.

  • The blue refers to Sainte Geneviève, patron saint of Paris (Vth century).

  • Red is the color of Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris in the IIIrd century AD.

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