The Napoleonic Bee
Have you heard of the term 'Napoleonic Bee'? As you might guess it relates to Napoléon Bonaparte I, you know the famed military and political leader of France. Napoléon (also referred to as Napoléon The Great), adopted the bee as his court symbol from as early on as his coronation in 1804 and throughout his reign as Emperor.
Napoléon Bonaparte I
Let's take a brief look at Napoléon Bonaparte's life before we look at his bee emblem and why he chose this symbol for himself and his family. Napoléon lived between 1769-1821 and is considered to be one of history's greatest military leaders. He rose to prominence during the French Revolution and served as Emperor of France from 1804 to 1814, and again in 1815. He is probably mostly remembered for his role in the Napoleonic Wars and his very well known defeat at the battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815.