Phrygian Cap History
The Phrygian cap (pronounced "fridge - ian") is a supple, conical cap with the top pulled forward adorned with a tri-colored ribbon cockade. In the western provinces of the Roman Empire it came to signify freedom and the pursuit of liberty, associated with the felt cap of emancipated slaves. Accordingly, the Phrygian cap is sometimes called a liberty hat; in artistic representations it signifies freedom and the pursuit of liberty.
In revolutionary France, the cap or bonnet rouge was first seen publicly in May 1790 adorning a statue representing the nation, and on a lance carried by the goddess Libertas. To this day the national emblem of France, Marianne, is shown wearing a Phrygian cap.
Starting in 1793, United States of America coinage frequently showed Liberty wearing the cap or, on many 19th Century pieces, holding it on a Liberty Pole. The cap's last appearance on circulating coinage was the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, which was minted through 1947 (and reused on the current bullion American Silver Eagle).
The U.S. Army has, since 1778, utilized a "War Office Seal" in which the motto "This We'll Defend" is displayed directly over a Phrygian cap on an upturned sword. The cap also appears on the state flags of West Virginia (as part of its official seal), New Jersey, and New York, as well as the official seal of the United States Senate, the state of Iowa, the state of North Carolina (as well as the arms of its Senate) and on the reverse side of the Seal of Virginia.
The
late 18th century Irish revolutionary movement know as the Society of
the United Irishmen adopted the cap. It also carried over to Latin
America during the 1820s appearing on Mexican coins from the late 19th
century into the mid 20th century (including the old 8 Reales coin.)
Today it is seen in the coats of arms, national flags or seals of Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia, and Paraguay. In Argentina it appears on multiple seals, flags and national arms of the army, navy, on presidential flags and the flags of provinces.
Wear this hat and associated “cockade” as a symbol of your love of liberty and non-violent commitment to political and financial reforms dedicated to Freedom, Liberty, Self-Reliance, and Responsibility.
