Irises in Glass Vase with Mardi Gras Beads, St. Louis Cemetery No 1, New Orleans, Louisiana
A glass vase holds cloth irises before a marble tomb in a found still life photograph at St. Louis Cemetery No 1, New Orleans, Louisiana. The iris has a rich symbolism in many cultures and particularly for the French and New Orleans. A stylized iris, the fleur-de-lis, is the symbol of France. The emblem of the city of New Orleans itself is also the fleur-de-lis. These usages are likely some of the motivation for the flower’s appearance at this tomb. In funerary practice, the flower, symbol of the ancient Greek goddess Iris, would be placed on women’s graves to aid them in their journey to the underworld. In this picture, the iris, depicted with Mardi Gras beads, symbolizes another interpretation of the flower, that of loyalty and passion; an emblem of true romantic love.
