When Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804, he wanted to replace the remnants of the fallen Bourbon dynasty, including the Fleur de Lys. He learned about the discovery of the tomb of Childeric I, king of the Merovingian Franks, and the 300 tiny gold bees that were found buried alongside his remains as a symbol of immortality.

The bee is symbolic of harmony, working together for a bigger cause. Napoleon recognised these important characteristics and used golden bees on his Coat of Arms, the motifs stitched into his coronation robe and the patterns on the wallpaper and carpets of his palaces.