Marianne
Back to Main Page.AnzacsYear 8Senior ReferenceFavourite SitesQueenslandIcons of FranceYear 5 Page |
|
|
La
Fête Nationale
The French Icon pages have been moved as part of the reorganisation of this website. Click to go to the new Icons of France index page. If you are linked into this site, you will need to change your link to: |
 |
 |
Marianne is the symbol of the Republic of France |
The symbol of "Marianne" has very ancient origins. On her head, Marianne wears a special cap. This cap was called a "Phrygian cap" and it was worn by freed slaves during the Roman era. It showed that they were now Roman citizens and, therefore, were free people. Thus, the cap became a symbol of freedom or liberty.
 |
During the French Revolution in 1789, the figure of a woman dressed as a warrior wearing the "cap of Liberty" came to symbolise the idea that freedom was worth fighting for. People adopted the idea of wearing a special hat - the "Cap of Liberty"- to indicate their support for revolutionary ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity (Brotherhood). The revolutionary Cap of Liberty was red. It was during this time that the figure was named. People suggestedthat since the symbol represented the freedom of the common people, it should bear the name most given to the women of the common people - Marie-Anne. This later became "Marianne". |
 |
During the nineteenth century, the symbol of Marianne became more and more popular to symbolise the Republic of France. Marianne is one of the most commonly used icons on French stamps. There are statues of Marianne on public buildings. If you look carefully at the sculptures on the outside of the Arc De Triomphe you can see a victorious Marianne leading the French army. Marianne's features in this century have been modelled on women actors who are considered to be the most beautiful. Brigitte Bardot and Catheine Deneuve were two previous "Mariannes". In 2000, the Mayors of France voted for a new "Marianne " and chose a little known actor, Laetitia Casta. She has since become a very well known TV and movie star.
|
 |
Source: http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr