National symbols of France
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National symbols of Franceare emblems of theFrench RepublicandFrench people,and they are the cornerstone of the nation's republican tradition.
The national symbols of theFrench Fifth Republicare:[1]
- TheFrench flag
- The national anthem: "La Marseillaise"
- The national personification:Marianne
- The national motto:Liberté, égalité, fraternité(Liberty, equality, fraternity)
- The national day:Bastille Day(celebrated on 14 July)
- TheGallic rooster
- Thelictor's fasces emblem
- TheGreat Seal of France
Other French symbols include:
- Thecockade of France
- The letters "RF", standing forRépublique Française(French Republic)
- The National Order of theLegion of Honourand theNational Order of Merit
- ThePhrygian cap
- Joan of Arc
- Fleur-de-lis
- Bleuet de France,the symbol of memory for, and solidarity with,veterans,victims of war, widows, and orphans, similar to the Commonwealthremembrance poppy.
Flag
[edit]The French flag is atricolourthat consists of three vertical stripes of equal width, coloured in royal blue, white, and red. It is the only official French emblem, according to article 2 of the currentConstitution of France,adopted in 1958.
Fleurs-de-lis
[edit]-
Coat of arms of Paris -
Flag of France under the Capetian dynasty since the 12th century -
Flag ofQuebec,paying homage to French symbols
Anthem
[edit]The national anthem "La Marseillaise" was composed byRouget de Lislein 1792.
Marianne
[edit]
Marianne is thenational personificationof the French Republic. An embodiment of liberty and reason, and a portrayal of theGoddess of Liberty,her bust is present in every city hall in France. Her face is also drawn on stamps. The name Marianne enabled the French people to take over the newborn republic, by creating a popular figure with whom French people could easily identify.
Gallic rooster
[edit]The choice of the Gallicroosteras a symbol for France dates to the Middle Ages. It finds its origin in a play on the wordgallus(Latin for rooster) andGallus(Gallic). Despite its frequent use as a symbol for France, in particular by sports federations, the rooster has never been an official emblem.Cocorico!(French for 'cock-a-doodle-doo') is often used as an affirmation of French patriotism.
Great Seal
[edit]
The Great Seal of France (French:Grand sceau de la République française) is the official seal of the French Republic. The seal features Liberty personified as a seatedJunowearing a crown with seven arches. She holds a fasces and is supported by a ship's tiller with a rooster printed on it. At her feet is a vase with the letters "SU" (Suffrage Universel',French for 'universal suffrage'). At her right, in the background, are symbols of the arts (painter's tools), architecture (Ionic order), education (burning lamp), agriculture (a sheaf of wheat) and industry (a cog wheel). The scene is surrounded by the legendRÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE, DÉMOCRATIQUE, UNE ET INDIVISIBLE(French Republic, democratic, one and indivisible) and24 FEV.1848(24 February 1848) at the bottom.
The reverse bears the wordsAU NOM DU PEUPLE FRANÇAIS(In the name of the French people) surrounded by a crown of oak (a symbol of perennity) and laurel (a symbol of glory) leaves tied together with weed and grapes (for agriculture and wealth), and the circular national mottoLIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ.
Diplomatic emblem
[edit]
Thelictor'sfascesemblem was adopted by theFrench Foreign Ministryas a symbol for use by French diplomatic and consular missions in 1913, using a design by the sculptorJules-Clément Chaplain.The emblem also appears on the cover ofFrench passports.
Coat of arms
[edit]The currentCoat of armsof France has been a French symbol since 1905,[2][failed verification]but it does not have the status of anational coat of arms.
Cockade
[edit]Thecockadeof France is the national ornament of France, obtained by circularly pleating a blue, white and red ribbon. It is composed of the three colors of the French flag with blue in the center, white immediately outside and red on the edge.
Other RF and tricolour-based emblems
[edit]-
Shield on the Senate entrance -
Sometimes used on a semi-official basis, but having no official status as the arms of the French Republic
Historical emblems
[edit]1940–1944
[edit]-
-
Unofficial
Emblem ofPhilippe Pétain,chief of state of theFrench State,featuring the mottoTravail, Famille, Patrie(Work, Family, Fatherland). TheFrancisquewas only Pétain's personal emblem but was also gradually used as the regime's informal emblem on official documents (Vichy France;1940–1944). -
Unofficial
Alternate version of theFrancisqueemblem of Philippe Pétain, chief of state of theFrench State -
See also
[edit]References
[edit]
- ^"The symbols of the French Republic".Présidence de la République.
- ^"Les symboles de la République française".Site de la présidence de la République.