In response to one of the slides in the Images of Liberty Powerpoint, this red felt hat, also called the Phrygian Cap, that is often seen in early American art and coins signifies freedom or liberty, or the pursuit of liberty. It was also used during the French Revolution and ancient Rome. In the United States, during this time where Americans were really trying to find their own identity that was neither British or Native American, it was put on top of a pole. This was used to signal the people of a town or the Sons of Liberty to meet and discuss issues with British rule and interference. It represented the American's resentment of England. If people were dancing around it, it could have been part of this "carnival" side of American identity that people started to adopt, and this celebration of liberty and the pursuit of freedom that colonists were embarking on. This makes me wonder if there are other things that we put mentally or emotionally at the center of our lives that represents the goal we are trying to achieve today. Is there something we focus on and celebrate around that unites us as a country? I think some things like a white picket fence, a Ford truck, country music, football and baseball games, and many other things are things that we, as Americans, rally around, and bring us together. Even if it's as simple as cheering together for our favorite baseball team to win a game (especially as the Postseason starts tomorrow for MN!), we still are experiencing that unity and celebration of a common goal. In a country where individuality is often emphasized, the things that bring us together mean that much more, and looking at these things today helps me better understand the use of the phrygian cap and what it meant to the early colonials.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Phrygian Cap
In response to one of the slides in the Images of Liberty Powerpoint, this red felt hat, also called the Phrygian Cap, that is often seen in early American art and coins signifies freedom or liberty, or the pursuit of liberty. It was also used during the French Revolution and ancient Rome. In the United States, during this time where Americans were really trying to find their own identity that was neither British or Native American, it was put on top of a pole. This was used to signal the people of a town or the Sons of Liberty to meet and discuss issues with British rule and interference. It represented the American's resentment of England. If people were dancing around it, it could have been part of this "carnival" side of American identity that people started to adopt, and this celebration of liberty and the pursuit of freedom that colonists were embarking on. This makes me wonder if there are other things that we put mentally or emotionally at the center of our lives that represents the goal we are trying to achieve today. Is there something we focus on and celebrate around that unites us as a country? I think some things like a white picket fence, a Ford truck, country music, football and baseball games, and many other things are things that we, as Americans, rally around, and bring us together. Even if it's as simple as cheering together for our favorite baseball team to win a game (especially as the Postseason starts tomorrow for MN!), we still are experiencing that unity and celebration of a common goal. In a country where individuality is often emphasized, the things that bring us together mean that much more, and looking at these things today helps me better understand the use of the phrygian cap and what it meant to the early colonials.
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