Revolutionary Cockade

A symbol of revolutionary sentiment and national identity.

The Revolutionary Cockade was a circular ornament worn on the hat or clothing, typically colored blue, white, and red, reflecting the colors of the French flag. It emerged during the French Revolution as a means of expressing loyalty to the revolutionary cause and opposing the monarchy. The blue and red colors represented Paris (the capital), while white was associated with the monarchy. By wearing this cockade, individuals publicly demonstrated their support for the revolutionary principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity during a time of significant political change.

The revolutionary cockade played a significant role as a symbol during the French Revolution. Initially, the tricolor cockade (blue, white, and red) represented the revolutionary ideals and was used to distinguish the revolutionaries from other factions. The colors blue and red were said to represent the city of Paris, while white symbolized the House of Bourbon (the royal family). By combining these colors, the revolutionary cockade visually encapsulated the alliance between the citizens of Paris and the monarchy, which was an important aspect of early revolutionary symbolism.

On 12 July 1789, two days prior to the storming of the Bastille, Camille Desmoulins (a prominent journalist and politician) called upon the people to wear green cockades as a symbol of insurrection. However, because green was also associated with the Count of Artois (a brother of King Louis XVI), the green cockade was quickly abandoned. By 17 July 1789, King Louis XVI himself adopted the tricolor cockade, acknowledging the new symbol of revolutionary France.

The wearing of the revolutionary cockade became compulsory by a law passed on 21 May 1792. This decree mandated that every citizen was required to wear it, reflecting the growing emphasis on unity and visible allegiance to the revolutionary cause. Over time, the cockade evolved into an emblem that was not only worn on hats or clothing but also appeared in various forms of revolutionary propaganda and artwork.

The significance of the revolutionary cockade extended beyond clothing. It came to symbolize the collective identity of the revolutionaries and their commitment to the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. As different factions within the revolution vied for power, the tricolor cockade remained a unifying symbol, at least in its idealistic intent, even though its meaning could be interpreted differently by various groups.

During the later stages of the Revolution, particularly under the Reign of Terror, failing to wear the revolutionary cockade could result in dire consequences. It became a means of surveillance and control, as authorities used it to identify and root out counter-revolutionaries or those perceived as enemies of the new regime. Thus, the revolutionary cockade transitioned from a symbol of unity to a tool of political enforcement.

Did you know?

The revolutionary cockade, a ribbon worn as a badge, became a symbol of revolutionary fervor in France and was typically colored red, white, and blue; these colors represented liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Interestingly, the cockade was originally a royal insignia before transforming into a revolutionary emblem, showcasing how symbols can evolve within political contexts.
The cockade was not only worn in France; it inspired similar uses across Europe, where revolutionary movements adopted their own version to symbolize unity and rebellion against monarchies.
The first official acknowledgment of the cockade (in its revolutionary form) occurred on 27 July 1789, which was a mere two weeks after the fall of the Bastille, indicating the speed of change during this tumultuous period.
Marianne, the female personification of the French Republic, often wore a cockade, emphasizing its association with the ideals of the Republic and giving it a more feminine identity in the revolutionary narrative.