Louis XIV believed he was God’s direct representative on Earth
One of the interesting facts about Louis XIV is that he believed he was God's direct representative on Earth. The birth of Louis XIV, the first child of King Louis XIII and his wife Anne, took more than twenty years. The boy was given the name Louis-Dieudonné, which means "gift of God," by the royal couple who were overjoyed to have a direct heir to the throne. Mazarin also taught the young Louis XIV the idea that monarchs are chosen by the gods, which added to his already inflated feeling of self.
Louis XIV used the sun as his symbol because, in his opinion, France revolved around him just like the planets did around the sun and any disobedience to his commands was a sin. Louis used court customs and artistic expression to legitimize and bolster his authority over France. Early in Louis' reign, Colbert set up a systematic, institutionalized system for building and upholding a royal image with his assistance. As a result, the king is either shown in majesty or at war, particularly with Spain.
With his majesty, he possessed precious items as well as the property of 19 million subjects in France, according to the laws of the kingdom. Therefore, it increases pride and self-esteem.
