France means different things to different people, and when asked to list things that are 'typically French' there are many different symbols that come to mind. These French symbols might include official items such as the French flag and the motto 'liberty, equality, fraternity'; or unofficial symbols such as the Eiffel tower, the beret, a baguette or a string of onions.
Sport has its own symbols of course - the national teams have adopted the state emblem of the cockerel (rooster) as a mascot, and the Tour de France is in itself one of the most powerful French symbols.
The guillotine
Worldwide the guillotine is associated with France and the French revolution. In fact the guillotine was not around at the time of the Revolution but was introduced soon after - and used to execute many thousands if 'traitors' during the time known as the Reign of Terror. The guillotine was designed to make executions less drawn out and more humane!
Some of the country's most important mascots and symbols are better known in France than outside. These include:
The cockerel
2000 years ago, it was realised that the Latin for cockerel was almost the same as the Latin for Gaul, as France was then known. The pun stuck, and even now the cockerel appears on stamps and coins, and is one of the most well known symbols of France.
Marianne
The use of Marianne, a strong-willed revolutionary woman, as a figurehead for France dates from the revolution years. Marianne came into wide use after 1848 and a competition to decide a figurehead for the people. A famous painting by Delacroix called 'Liberty leading the people' reinforced the role of Marianne, and she is still very popular 150 years later.
Every few years a 'new Marianne' is chosen from celebrities and well known French women - for example Catherine Deneuve represented Marianne in the 1980's.
There are numerous other contenders for top French symbol, from Joan of Arc to a game of boules. What do you think of first when thinking about France?
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