The Phrygian cap, originally a symbol of revolutionary France, is now set to lead the Olympics as the mascot for Paris 2024.
Red, small, and colorful, the iconic cap has been a steadfast symbol throughout France’s history, so it’s no wonder that this symbol was chosen to represent the nation’s key moments, specially for this occasion.
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Based on the headwear worn by French revolutionaries in the 18th century, the Phrygian cap was also said to be donned by workers. Its history stretches back thousands of years, with appearances in the Trojan War, the legend of King Midas, and even the American Revolution.
Where it all started
The cap gets its name from Phrygia, a kingdom in what is now Turkey, where a real King Midas is said to have reigned according to archaeologists. It is believed that the Phrygians migrated from the Balkans and built their capital in Gordion.
The Phrygian cap first appears in an early 9th-century BC carving of a cavalry soldier, incorporating it into the legends of ancient Greeks such as those in the Iliad.
Art and Symbols
Paris is filled with artworks featuring the symbolic cap, which was a prominent symbol in Greek art and spread to other cultures, including the Romans. It is believed that ancient representations of the Phrygian cap were confused in the 18th century when European revolutionary artists sought symbols of liberty in Roman art.
“When the French and British sought an ancient liberty cap, they chose the Phrygian cap, which signified Middle Eastern status, instead of the pileus, which symbolized freedom. The Phrygian cap came to be interpreted as a symbol of freedom,” explains a University of Pennsylvania archaeologist.
The Liberty Cap
The “liberty cap” appears to have first emerged in pre-revolutionary America in the artworks of silversmith Paul Revere, depicting a rounded cap instead of the forward-pointing Phrygian cap. From there, it became a common symbol of the American Revolution, appearing in paintings, seals, and flags.
After the American Revolution, the Phrygian cap in its original form became a symbol of revolutionary France, possibly because, as noted by Korshak, it resembled the headwear commonly worn by French workers.
“Always thoughtful and an astute strategist, she embarks on adventures only after carefully weighing all the pros and cons. Just like the Olympic athletes, she knows the importance of measuring all the various parameters to achieve her goals. With her sharp mind, she is modest and prefers to hide her emotions. The Olympic Phryge will lead the movement of all those who take part in sport, and believe us, she will give her all to get France moving!” -Olympics official website.
The adoption of the Phrygian cap as the new Olympic mascot speaks to a modern world striving for revolution through movement and internationalization, and we love it, even if it looks kind of weird.
Do you like the new mascot idea?
