Political Symbols of France: Revolutionary Icons and Their Impact

Political Symbols of France

In Part 4 of this chapter, we have learned that many French people were illiterate. These illiterate people often gathered in groups where someone would read books or newspapers out loud to them. In Part 6 we learned about the Declaration of Rights of Men and Citizen, which summarizes essential freedoms and responsibilities in France’s historical constitution. Next, In Part 7 Our focus will be on how political symbols of France like the broken chain, law tablet, and winged woman communicated important ideas.

Liberty – It refers to the freedom to do whatever you want to do and no one can stop you as long as it doesn’t hurt others.
Equality – To treat everyone equally under the Law.
Fraternity– To Treat everyone like a family, with kindness and unity, and to work together to make life better for everyone, not just for one person or group.
Fasces or Rod – Stick.
Political Symbols– It refers to an image, object, or gesture which are used to represent a specific idea or belief that is related to government or politics.

During the 1700s, Most of the French citizens were Illiterate.
They used special symbols to show important symbols like freedom and Equality.
Therefore, These symbols acted as a secret message in such a way that even an uneducated person could understand.
Artist Le Barbier created a painting of the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen.
In his painting, he used different types of symbols. Some of the symbols are:

Chains keep the slaves under control and stop them from moving freely.
When someone breaks the Chain they become free; therefore broken chain represents Freedom and Liberty.

If we tie a group of sticks together, they become strong and difficult to break.
Thus, This group of sticks represents Unity and if people work together in unity they become strong.

It is a stick made of gold, silver, or other metal, decorated with jewels that kings and queens hold.
It symbolizes their power.

The snake forms a circular shape by biting its tail thus creating a shape that shows no beginning or end representing something that lasts forever which is also called “eternity.”

When slaves gained their freedom, they wore a special hat called The Red Phrygian Cap.
It represents:
- Freedom and Independence as the wearer is no longer controlled by others.
- Thus, They can make their own decisions and live their lives without being enslaved.

The colours of the French flag are Blue, White, and Red, and represent the country of France.

It refers to a stone or board with laws written on it.
Furthermore, It represents the idea that the law treats everyone equally, no matter who you are.
As the Law is the same for all, It represents Equality and therefore requests to treat everyone equally.

Women Artist Nanine Vallian painted a painting titled “Painting of Liberty”.
Click here to view the Painting.
It is considered special and rare because no women during the 1700s painted paintings.
Due to the idea of equality and freedom of the French Revolution, women were given a chance to learn painting from famous artists and display their paintings to the public in an exhibition called Salon
In the painting of Liberty, Nanine chose to show women as a symbol of liberty or freedom.
In her right hand, she holds a Law tablet which contains the Declaration of Rights of Men and Citizen.
In her left hand, she holds a Red Phrygian Cap. It represents Freedom and Independence and can make their own decisions and live their lives without being enslaved.
The pyramid at the back symbolises Equality as all 3 sides are equal.

People of France used Special symbols to help everyone understand big ideas like Unity, Equality, Fraternity, and Liberty.
These special French political symbols helped illiterate people to understand difficult ideas easily.