Who is Marianne?

Marianne first became representative of the country during the French Revolution, presented as a personification of the French ideals of “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” (“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”). She is considered the “Goddess of Liberty” and has become a staple in French culture. 

She was created to personify French allegory after women of France used the symbol of a Phrygian cap, a red cap worn by emancipated slaves of the Mediterranean region, to represent their freedoms. In the early stages of Marianne, she is often seen wearing a Phrygian cap, but more recently has been depicted wearing a crown after some spaces deemed wearing the cap “too rebellious.”

Marianne’s appearance during the French Revolution helped recognize France and allowed for massive representation of women across the country, and the world. She often shows up in many places outside of France, most notably she is the woman depicted in the Statue of Liberty in New York.

She is ever-changing, as women became more represented in our modern society, Marianne changed to depict a more inclusive image. She has taken on the likes of historical French figures such as Brigitte Bardot, Michèle Morgan, Mireille Mathieu, Catherine Deneuve, Inès de la Fressange, Laetitia Casta, and Evelyne Thomas.

Appearing on numerous stamps, coins, statues, and street art, the figure of Marianne has quickly become one of the country’s most notable symbols. 

Marianne is an incredible figure representing one of the most notable countries of our modern world. She and her image have paved the way for many women and have provided the space for more female representation in political spaces.