Louis XIV was known as the "Sun King." He earned this moniker because he chose the sun as his personal emblem and used it as a symbol of his absolute power. The title "Sun King" captures his desire for glory and his belief in the divine right of kings. Louis XIV reigned as the King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715, and during his long reign, he worked tirelessly to centralize power, strengthen the French monarchy, and establish France as the dominant power in Europe. His reign is often associated with elegance, opulence, and grandeur, which earned him the enduring nickname "Sun King."