Phrygian cap

Phrygian cap

The Phrygian cap is a soft, conical cap with the top pulled forward, associated in antiquity with the inhabitants of Phrygia, a region in Anatolia. It is known also as the liberty cap, or bonnet rouge, and has been a symbol of freedom and revolution throughout various periods in history.

Origins and History

The Phrygian cap is believed to have originated in the ancient country of Phrygia in what is now modern-day Turkey. It was initially a marker of Eastern influence and was worn by various peoples in the Ancient Near East, including the Persians, Dacians, and Thracians. Over time, the cap came to symbolize freedom and the pursuit of liberty, partly because freed slaves in Rome and Greece were often given a cap as a symbol of their emancipation.

Symbolism

During the French Revolution, the Phrygian cap became emblematic of the struggle for liberty against oppression. It was adopted by revolutionaries as the bonnet rouge (red cap) and became a powerful symbol of freedom and rebellion. The cap is often depicted in art and literature from this period, worn by figures representing liberty and the republic. Its association with revolutionary ideals has made it a recurring symbol in various movements for freedom and independence throughout the world.

In Modern Culture

The Phrygian cap has been featured on numerous national emblems, including the Seal of the United States Senate, symbolizing liberty and the pursuit of freedom. It also appears in the official logos of many organizations and has been used in modern political movements as a symbol of protest and dissent.

See Also

• Liberty (goddess)
• French Revolution
• Symbols of the French Republic
• National symbols of France