Flambeau

Lore & Background

The term 'Flambeau' carries multiple meanings across different contexts. In New Orleans, Louisiana, the Flambeau is a multi-flame torch traditionally carried in night parades during Mardi Gras, a key part of the celebration's visual spectacle. In Texas, the Fiesta Flambeau parade is held during Fiesta San Antonio. The name also appears in Wisconsin geography: the Flambeau River flows through the northern part of the state, and there are two communities named Flambeau—one in Price County and one in Rusk County. The Flambeau 400 was a passenger train operated by the Chicago and North Western Railway. In the game Ars Magica, Flambeau is one of the founding members of the Order of Hermes. On early natural gas wells, a flambeau—a flame fed by natural gas—was used to show that the gas was flowing, a practice now known as a gas flare. The Flambeau butterfly is the species Dryas iulia. In literature, Flambeau is a character in G. K. Chesterton's Father Brown stories. A magazine called Flambeau is published in Saint Vincent, and FSView & Florida Flambeau is the student newspaper at Florida State University. The name also appears in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, listed under 'See also.'

In Their Own Story

The Flambeau River winds through northern Wisconsin, its name echoing the torchlight of processions. In New Orleans, during Mardi Gras, night parades glow with multi-flame torches called flambeaux, carried by performers in a tradition that dates back generations. Meanwhile, in Texas, the Fiesta Flambeau parade lights up Fiesta San Antonio. On the rails, the Flambeau 400 train carried passengers for the Chicago and North Western line. In the realm of gaming, Flambeau stands as one of the founding members of the Order of Hermes in Ars Magica. On early natural gas wells, a flambeau—a gas flare—burned continuously to indicate flow. The Flambeau butterfly, Dryas iulia, flits through tropical habitats. In G. K. Chesterton's stories, the character Flambeau appears as a figure in the Father Brown mysteries. A magazine named Flambeau serves Saint Vincent, and at Florida State University, the student newspaper is called FSView & Florida Flambeau. The name also connects to Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin.

Reader's Guide

To understand the many faces of Flambeau, start with its literal meaning: a burning torch carried in procession. In New Orleans Mardi Gras, the flambeau is a multi-flame torch that has been a staple of night parades for decades, carried by performers who often dance and twirl the flames. The Fiesta Flambeau parade in San Antonio, Texas, carries on a similar tradition. In Wisconsin, the Flambeau River offers a natural landmark, while the communities of Flambeau in Price County and Rusk County share the name. The Flambeau 400 train was a named passenger service of the Chicago and North Western Railway. For fans of the game Ars Magica, Flambeau is one of the founding members of the Order of Hermes. In industrial history, the flambeau on early natural gas wells served as a visible indicator of gas flow, a precursor to modern gas flares. The Flambeau butterfly, Dryas iulia, is a species known for its bright orange wings. In literature, G. K. Chesterton's Father Brown stories feature a character named Flambeau. The magazine Flambeau is published in Saint Vincent, and FSView & Florida Flambeau is the student newspaper at Florida State University. For further reference, Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, is listed under 'See also.'

Did You Know?

• Flambeau is a multi-flame torch traditionally carried in night parades during New Orleans Mardi Gras.
• The Flambeau 400 was a passenger train operated by the Chicago and North Western Railway.
• Flambeau is one of the founding members of the Order of Hermes in the game Ars Magica.
• On early natural gas wells, a flambeau was a flame fed by natural gas to show that the gas was flowing, also known as a gas flare.
• The Flambeau butterfly is the species Dryas iulia.