The current Constitution of France does not specify a national emblem. The unofficial coat of arms of France depicts a lictor's fasces upon branches of laurel and oak, as well as a ribbon bearing the national motto of '' Liberté, égalité, fraternité''. This composition was created in 1905 by heraldic painter-engraver Maurice de Meyère and was first used by the

French Third Republic The French Third Republic (french: Troisième République, sometimes written as ) was the system of government adopted in France from 4 September 1870, when the Second French Empire collapsed during the Franco-Prussian War, until 10 July 1940 ...

. The full achievement includes the star and grand collar of the

Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleo ...

Devices

The

blazon In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image. The verb ''to blazon'' means to create such a description. The ...

ing is:

Coat of arms: charges

Motto

''Liberté, égalité, fraternité'' (; "

liberty Liberty is the ability to do as one pleases, or a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant (i.e. privilege). It is a synonym for the word freedom. In modern politics, liberty is understood as the state of being free within society fr ...

, equality,

fraternity A fraternity (from Latin ''frater'': "brother"; whence, " brotherhood") or fraternal organization is an organization, society, club or fraternal order traditionally of men associated together for various religious or secular aims. Fraternit ...

", is the national motto of

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

, and is an example of a

tripartite motto Hendiatris (; ) is a figure of speech used for emphasis, in which three words are used to express one idea. The phrases "sun, sea and sand", and "wine, women and song" are examples. A tripartite motto is the conventional English term for a motto ...

. Although it finds its origins in the

French Revolution The French Revolution ( ) was a period of radical political and societal change in France that began with the Estates General of 1789 and ended with the formation of the French Consulate in November 1799. Many of its ideas are conside ...

, it was then only one motto among others and was not institutionalized until the Third Republic at the end of the 19th century. (abridged translation, ''Realms of Memory'', Columbia University Press, 1996–98).

Fasces

Fasces are a bundle of birch rods containing a sacrificial axe. In Roman times, the fasces symbolized the power of magistrates, representing union and accord with the Roman Republic. French architects began to use the Roman fasces (''faisceaux romains'') as a decorative device during the reign of

Louis XIII Louis XIII (; sometimes called the Just; 27 September 1601 – 14 May 1643) was King of France from 1610 until his death in 1643 and King of Navarre (as Louis II) from 1610 to 1620, when the crown of Navarre was merged with the French crow ...

(1610–1643), and the imagery of the

used references to the ancient

Roman Republic The Roman Republic ( la, Res publica Romana ) was a form of government of Rome and the era of the classical Roman civilization when it was run through public representation of the Roman people. Beginning with the overthrow of the Roman Ki ...

to an even greater extent. During the First Republic, topped by the Phrygian cap, the fasces is a tribute to the Roman Republic and means that power belongs to the people. It also symbolizes the "unity and indivisibility of the Republic", as stated in the French Constitution.

Branches

*The oak is France's national tree, and a common

symbol A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different conc ...

of strength and endurance. *A bay laurel () branch, an aromatic broadleaf evergreen, or later from spineless butcher's broom ('' Ruscus hypoglossum'') or cherry laurel ('' Prunus laurocerasus''). It is a

of triumph, which traces back to

Greek mythology A major branch of classical mythology, Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the ancient Greeks, and a genre of Ancient Greek folklore. These stories concern the origin and nature of the world, the lives and activities o ...

Apollo Apollo, grc, Ἀπόλλωνος, Apóllōnos, label=genitive , ; , grc-dor, Ἀπέλλων, Apéllōn, ; grc, Ἀπείλων, Apeílōn, label=Arcadocypriot Greek, ; grc-aeo, Ἄπλουν, Áploun, la, Apollō, la, Apollinis, label= ...

is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head, and wreaths were awarded to victors in athletic competitions, including the ancient

Olympics The modern Olympic Games or Olympics (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques) are the leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a vari ...

— for which they were made of wild olive-tree known as ''" kotinos"'' (), (sc. at Olympia)—and in poetic meets. In

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus ( legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

they were symbols of martial victory, crowning a successful commander during his triumph.

External devices

Portrait officiel de Georges Pompidou (cropped)

*Star and grand collar of the

, which is the highest French

order of merit The Order of Merit (french: link=no, Ordre du Mérite) is an order of merit for the Commonwealth realms, recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by ...

for

military A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...

and civil merits, established in 1802 by

Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader wh ...

and retained by all later French governments and régimes. The achievement includes the order's grand collar, which is worn only by the

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university * President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...

, as Grand Master of the order.

History

Background

13th century – 1870: Arms of dominion / French revolution

French kings and emperors had personal

arms of dominion Arms of dominion are the arms borne both by a monarch and the state in a monarchy. In this respect they are both the national arms and the arms of the nation's monarch, who is the monarchy's sovereign, and are thus simultaneously the personal arm ...

, which by extension also represented France. The '' fleur-de-lis'' was used by French kings since the Middle Ages, which were followed by the Napoleonic eagle designs after the

. The fleur-de-lis is still popular, and used by overseas people of French heritage, like the

Acadians The Acadians (french: Acadiens , ) are an ethnic group descended from the French who settled in the New France colony of Acadia during the 17th and 18th centuries. Most Acadians live in the region of Acadia, as it is the region where the de ...

, Québécois or Cajuns. The Napoleonic eagle is also used by Swedish royal house. Coronation of Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile 1223.jpg, Baldachin, banners and mantles (1223) Aachen Domschatz Bueste1.jpg, Bust of Charlemagne (1349) Prise de Tours en 1189.jpg, Caparison and banners (c. 1455) Lothar RichardNormandie.jpg, Tent (15th century) Louis XIV of France.jpg, Cushion,

mantle A mantle is a piece of clothing, a type of cloak. Several other meanings are derived from that. Mantle may refer to: *Mantle (clothing), a cloak-like garment worn mainly by women as fashionable outerwear **Mantle (vesture), an Eastern Orthodox ve ...

and

upholstery Upholstery is the work of providing furniture, especially seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. The word also refers to the materials used to upholster something. ''Upholstery'' comes from the Middle English ...

(1701) Chateau de Blois 38.jpg, Baldachin (2010) Blois Château de Blois Louis-XII-Flügel Innen Salle des États 7.jpg, Ceiling (2018) Orn ext Maréchal de France.svg,

Marshal Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used for elevated o ...

baton Baton may refer to: Stick-like objects *Baton, a type of club *Baton (law enforcement) *Baston (weapon), a type of baton used in Arnis and Filipino Martial Arts *Baton charge, a coordinated tactic for dispersing crowds of people *Baton (conductin ...

(royal) File:Bastoni da maresciallo, 1851-65.jpg,

(imperial) Constable of France sword-J 26-IMG 1795-gradient.jpg, Grand Constable of France's scabbard Arms of Spain.svg, Coat of arms of Spain Arms of Canada (shield).svg , Coat of arms of Canada Coat of arms of Quebec.svg,

Coat of arms of Quebec The coat of arms of Quebec (french: armoiries du Québec) was adopted by order-in-council of the Government of Quebec on 9 December 1939,

Great shield of arms of Sweden.svg, Coat of arms of Sweden

1870–1905: Period without any national coat of arms

Freycinet, de Saulces de, Charles, Nadar, Gallica

The state was left without a coat of arms after the proclamation of the Third Republic in 1870. Consequently, the façade and balconies of French embassies and consulates were sometimes decorated with quasi-heraldic emblems, such as a simple RF monogram or a lictor's fasces topped with a Phrygian cap. This was lamented by diplomats, as it neither reflected the country's rich heraldic tradition nor matched other European countries' emblems. In 1881 Foreign Minister Charles de Freycinet sought to address this issue by proposing an arms. This first attempt was not successfully implemented. Count Horace de Choiseul, undersecretary of state in this department, invited the sculptor Francia to submit a project to him, which this denier executed on the drawing of Mr. Emile Bin.

1905–present: Adoption and modifications in external devices

King Alfonso XIII of Spain's official visit to France in 1905, as well as preceding visits from king

Edward VII Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until Death and state funeral of Edward VII, his death in 1910. The second chil ...

and Victor Emmanuel III of the United Kingdom and Italy, respectively, once again brought attention to the fact that France had no coat of arms. The Foreign Ministry responded by consulting the Grand Chancellery, which in turn asked the heraldists to propose national heraldic devices. Among about twenty proposals which were approved by the government, heraldic painter-engraver Maurice de Meyère's composition was formally adopted as the new coat of arms of France. This design was to be used by embassies and consulates abroad, instead of previous quasi-heraldic emblems. Coat of arms of the French Republic (1905).svg, de Meyère's 1905 design Official visit by King Alfonso XIII of Spain to France in 1905.jpg, The arms adorning the Foreign Ministry in 1905 In de Meyère's composition, the escutcheon was framed by an artistic console, whereas the

's star featured as the sole external heraldic device. The entire achievement was depicted upon an oval background with the words "French Republic" on the edge, a non-heraldic element. The console and oval background were mentioned as late as February 1914, but generally omitted after World War I, while the star of the Legion of Honour had been accompanied by the 1881 version of the grand collar. In 1924/1925, a greater version of the arms was invented for a decorative tapestry commissioned by the city of

Strasbourg Strasbourg (, , ; german: Straßburg ; gsw, label= Bas Rhin Alsatian, Strossburi , gsw, label= Haut Rhin Alsatian, Strossburig ) is the prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France and the official seat of the ...

Gustave Louis Jaulmes Gustave Louis Jaulmes (14 April 1873 – 7 January 1959) was an eclectic French artist who followed the neoclassical trend in the Art Deco movement. He created monumental frescoes, paintings, posters, illustrations, cartoons for tapestries and carp ...

. It has no actual use. File:Middle coat of arms of the French Republic (1905–1953).svg, Actually used version File:Greater_coat_of_arms_of_the_French_Republic_(1925-1953).jpg, Greater version invented by Jaulmes but never adopted In 1953, the collar was redesigned.

Usage

A list of notable depictions: *1905: A watercolour reproducing de Meyère's design was sent to each member of the government, and the arms adorned the two entrances of the French foreign ministry (37 Quai d'Orsay) at the occasion of king Alfonso's visit. *1922: The arms was emblazoned on the bronze Medal for Fidelity to France (french: Médaille de la Fidélité Française), awarded to inhabitants of the two border regions of Alsace and Lorraine, who had been either imprisoned or exiled by the occupying Germans during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

because of their loyalty to France. *1924/1925: A greater version of the arms was depicted on a painted tapestry by

, titled "Les armes de France". Commissioned by the city of

, this piece was to be installed at the ''Commissariat General of the Republic'' in the city. *1928: German encyclopedias gave a color reproduction of Jaulmes' greater arms. *1929: On 10 May the German embassy in France inquired what was the official coat of arms of France was. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied that "there is no, in principle, official coat of arms or emblem," but that such a composition was used for the French embassies and consulates. *1933-1942: The arms were depicted on prefects' uniforms. *1935: The annual edition of '' Le Petit Larousse'' reproduced a monochrome reproduction of the arms as a symbol of the French Republic. *1953: The United Nations Secretariat requested that France submit a national coat of arms that were to adorn the wall behind the podium in the

General Assembly A general assembly or general meeting is a meeting of all the members of an organization or shareholders of a company. Specific examples of general assembly include: Churches * General Assembly (presbyterian church), the highest court of pres ...

hall in New York, alongside the other member states' arms. On 3 June, an interministerial commission met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to select this emblem. It requested Robert Louis (1902–1965), heraldic artist, to produce a version of the Jules-Clément Chaplain

design A design is a plan or specification for the construction of an object or system or for the implementation of an activity or process or the result of that plan or specification in the form of a prototype, product, or process. The verb ''to design' ...

. In the end, Louis chose Maurice de Meyère's 1905 design instead, and this was adopted and submitted to the UN. *1975: President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing adopted the charge of the arms in his presidential standard. *6 June 1980: President d'Estaing assumed on him being admitted to the Order of the Seraphim: ''Azure a Fasces Or bindings Argent between two Laurel sprigs disposed orleways of the second and bound together in base by a ribbon of the third.'', based on the republican arms. *1982/1988: The arms were depicted on French space suits during the Franco-Soviet space missions of

1982 Events January * January 1 – In Malaysia and Singapore, clocks are adjusted to the same time zone, UTC+8 (GMT+8.00). * January 13 – Air Florida Flight 90 crashes shortly after takeoff into the 14th Street Bridge in Washington, D.C ...

and 1988. *2009: Used to represent France in the ''Hanseatic Fountain'' in

Veliky Novgorod Veliky Novgorod ( rus, links=no, Великий Новгород, t=Great Newtown, p=vʲɪˈlʲikʲɪj ˈnovɡərət), also known as just Novgorod (), is the largest city and administrative centre of Novgorod Oblast, Russia. It is one of the ...

, Russia. The coat of arms is still used, e.g. in relation to presidential inaugurations, including that of François Mitterrand, Jacques Chirac and

Emmanuel Macron Emmanuel Macron (; born 21 December 1977) is a French politician who has served as President of France since 2017. ''Ex officio'', he is also one of the two Co-Princes of Andorra. Prior to his presidency, Macron served as Minister of Econ ...

in 1981, 1995 and 2017, respectively. Médaille de la Fidélité Française (reverse).png, The arms emblazoned onto the reverse side of the Medal for Fidelity to France, instituted in 1922 1952 Trygve Lie Resigns.jpg, Escutcheons in the

UNGA The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA or GA; french: link=no, Assemblée générale, AG) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. Cur ...

hall intended to be emblazoned with national arms, including France's., but removed in 1956. Visites Sarkozy Hollande à l'hôtel de ville de Paris.jpg, The arms depicted on presidential inaugural documents. Jean-Loup Chrétien at the Aragatz mission.jpg, The arms depicted on Jean-Loup Chrétien's suit at the 1988 Aragatz mission to the '' Mir'' space station Parione - s Nicola dei Lorenesi fascio repubblicano francese P1030725.JPG, The arms (l.) adorning Rome's Church of Saint Nicholas of the Lorrainers, dedicated to France

References

French heraldry

National symbols of France