Why does France have a rooster? Many people are wondering why Les Bleus have a rooster on their shirt and badge ahead of the World Cup final.
Didier Deschamps has already earned a second star above the iconic rooster after guiding France to World Cup glory in 2018, having played a key role in midfield during their first World Cup success in 1998.
Now, the 54-year-old has the chance to add a third star to France’s shirt and badge if he can overcome Lionel Scaloni and Argentina on Sunday in Qatar.
So, what’s with the rooster? Let’s take a look…
Why does France have a rooster?
Well, in the middle ages, the rooster was widely used as a religious symbol associated with hope and faith.
During the Renaissance – in which European history transitioned from the Middle Ages to modernity – the rooster started to become affiliated with France, who were an emerging nation at the time.
Under the Valois and the Bourbon kings, the rooster began to appear on coins and also in engravings.
The rooster could also be found at both the Louvre and Versailles.
The Revolution established the rooster as an emblem of France’s national identity, although Napoleon replaced it with an eagle, saying: “The rooster has no power, he cannot be the image of an empire the likes of France.”
However, the French Revolution of 1830 rehabilitated the image of the rooster, with the Duke of Orleans signing an order stating that the rooster should appear on the flags and uniform buttons of the National Guard.
During the First World War, the rooster became the symbol of France’s resistance.
While it is not the official symbol of the nation, it has become heavily associated with France, mainly in sports.
In addition to featuring on the chest of stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Raphael Varane, the rooster is also used on rugby kits in France.
It also features on postage stamps, war memorials and logos.
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