The history of the French Fleur-de-lis “Blue” flag: This flag was used from 1400 until 1590. The most important flag carried by explorers and settlers was most likely the royal flag, since this was a symbol of the authority of the king in the new lands. In the early sixteenth century the French royal flag was blue with three gold fleurs-de-lis representing directly the shield in the royal French coat of arms. It is not likely that the French explorers Verrazano or Cartier actually raised this flag on land. At the time the practice of placing a permanent marker was preferred. Fleur-de-lis translates to “Flower of the Lily”.