Acadian Louisiana Flag
Three silver fleurs de lis on a blue
field represent the French origin of the Acadians. The fleurs de lis is a symbol
of the kings of France.
When the Acadians arrived in Louisiana, it was under Spanish rule. Since the Acadians prospered in Louisiana after years of exile, a portion of the flag pays homage to Spain with a gold tower on a red field representing the Old Arms of Castile, a prosperous European Spanish kingdom.
The gold star on a white field represents "Our Lady of the Assumption", Patroness of the Acadians. When the first settlers departed France for the New World, the Virgin Mary was highly revered. It was a period of great devotion to the Virgin. The King of France, Louis XIII, declared Mary the Patronne de Royaume - "Patroness of the Kingdom" - and, on August 15, 1638, France and her colonies were consecrated to Mary under the title "Our Lady of the Assumption." In 1938, Pope Pius XI solemnly proclaimed "Our Lady of the Assumption" as the patroness of all Acadians - those in Canada as well as those in Louisiana and elsewhere.
The star also symbolizes the active participation of the Acadians in the American Revolution as soldiers under Spanish Governor Galvez. Shortly after the arrival of the displaced Acadians in the Spanish territory of Louisiana, the American colonies started their struggle for independence. Spain decided to champion the cause of the 13 American colonies in their revolution against England. The Acadians chose to serve under Galvez, the Governor of Spanish Louisiana, and they actively participated in the battles of Manchac, Baton Rouge, Mobile and Pensacola, which were all very important and decisive victories that contributed to the successful conclusion of the American Revolution.
Since the Acadians were citizens of Spain at the time of the American Revolution, their star could not appear on the first American flag. Thus, the gold star on the Louisiana Acadian Flag serves as a reminder of Louisiana's participation in the American Revolution and the significant contributions of the Louisiana Acadians during the struggle for the beginning of a new nation.
When the Acadians arrived in Louisiana, it was under Spanish rule. Since the Acadians prospered in Louisiana after years of exile, a portion of the flag pays homage to Spain with a gold tower on a red field representing the Old Arms of Castile, a prosperous European Spanish kingdom.
The gold star on a white field represents "Our Lady of the Assumption", Patroness of the Acadians. When the first settlers departed France for the New World, the Virgin Mary was highly revered. It was a period of great devotion to the Virgin. The King of France, Louis XIII, declared Mary the Patronne de Royaume - "Patroness of the Kingdom" - and, on August 15, 1638, France and her colonies were consecrated to Mary under the title "Our Lady of the Assumption." In 1938, Pope Pius XI solemnly proclaimed "Our Lady of the Assumption" as the patroness of all Acadians - those in Canada as well as those in Louisiana and elsewhere.
The star also symbolizes the active participation of the Acadians in the American Revolution as soldiers under Spanish Governor Galvez. Shortly after the arrival of the displaced Acadians in the Spanish territory of Louisiana, the American colonies started their struggle for independence. Spain decided to champion the cause of the 13 American colonies in their revolution against England. The Acadians chose to serve under Galvez, the Governor of Spanish Louisiana, and they actively participated in the battles of Manchac, Baton Rouge, Mobile and Pensacola, which were all very important and decisive victories that contributed to the successful conclusion of the American Revolution.
Since the Acadians were citizens of Spain at the time of the American Revolution, their star could not appear on the first American flag. Thus, the gold star on the Louisiana Acadian Flag serves as a reminder of Louisiana's participation in the American Revolution and the significant contributions of the Louisiana Acadians during the struggle for the beginning of a new nation.
Made in Tawain. 3' x 5' Poly w Gromets $ 10.00
Thomas J Arceneaux designed the Louisiana Acadian Flag
to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Acadian exile into Louisiana and to
remind us of other important influences on Acadians. Arceneaux, a native of
Carencro, Louisiana, is a life-long supporter of English-French bilingual education in
Louisiana Schools and was a charter member of the Council for the Development of
French in Louisiana (CODOFIL). He is the former Dean of Agriculture (1941-1973)
at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette and was one of the
early leaders of the Louisiana French renaissance movement that revived interest
and pride in the French-Acadian heritage.
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