On the territory of Belgium, France and parts of Italy, the Celts lived in the past. The territory of these tribes was called Gaul, and for 6 centuries it remained part of the Roman Empire, one of the provinces. Huge open spaces contributed to the prosperity of this people, which, according to Roman descriptions, was quite remarkable, unusual.
So, the average Celt is a tall fair-haired man, red or white-haired, with a beautiful beard. In the traditions of this people there was one feature - hairstyles were stacked high, thereby resembling cocks. Capturing Gaul, the Roman troops met precisely such opponents who surprised with their appearance.
Interesting fact: the Romans, especially the soldiers, did not wear long beards, their hair was also cut short. The appearance of the new enemy certainly made a strong impression on them.
Gallus in Roman - not only a gall, but also a rooster. The Celts got this nickname either for their specific hairstyles, or for character. They gave a good rebuff even to trained Roman legionaries, were excellent warriors. Although the Romans hardly began to emphasize militancy and military successes, they rather ridiculed their enemy in this way, considering the hairstyles and appearance of the Celts comic. The Romans were known for their neglect of other nations, especially barbaric, placing their own civilization above others.
Why exactly the French - the Gauls?
It is the French who consider themselves the descendants of the ancient Celts. And considering themselves the descendants of the Gauls, they take for themselves this symbol - the rooster, which is today the unwritten coat of arms of the country. Of course, no one wears strange hairstyles for a long time, and the symbols of the rooster are used not with mockery, but with pride. For the French, the rooster is very symbolic, it is associated with many myths and beliefs - like the Celts in ancient times. The Celts worshiped a rooster; he occupied an important place in ancient beliefs. This creature became for them a symbol of light and sunrise, a new sunny day, dawn. The bird could dispel darkness and drive away evil, cast out ghosts, harmful spirits. In addition, the rooster symbolized and fire.
Rooster in the modern perception of the French
Despite the fact that most of the modern French are not white-haired, do not wear strange hairstyles, something definitely makes them related to their ancestors. The French character is bright, dynamic, vibrant, while most of the neighboring peoples have a much more restrained disposition. He is one in one similar to the Celtic mores, which are well symbolized by the rooster. The French have determination and courage, they are even prone to fights, but at the same time they are charming, stately and gallant. Their charisma is not comparable with neighboring nations.
The symbol of the rooster has taken root in the French environment, the image of this bird can be found everywhere. Even parks are decorated with similar floral arrangements - made in the shape of a rooster. The French honor their past and support the originality of their people, coming from its roots. They do not even take offense at the cartoons that portray people in the form of this bird.
Reborn symbol
The Gallic Golden Rooster is the oldest breed of chickens that existed at the time of the reign of Rome. It is this breed of birds that is considered as a symbol of France. In ancient times, coins with a rooster periodically appeared in Gaul, although not in large quantities. Then the symbol was forgotten for a while. He owes his revival to the revolution that took place in France in 1789. From this period the free spirit of the country was revived again, the symbolism of the bird - the dawn began to appear everywhere on architecture, clothing, seals, walls of houses, coats of arms - everywhere.
To date, there is no such excitement around the ancient symbol, but the rooster has firmly taken root at the gates of the government residence, as well as on the official state press.
On French coins, the cock revived in 1789 the same year, immediately after the revolution. He was placed on coins in denominations of 20 francs, where he remained until Napoleonic times. After that, he repeatedly returned to banknotes again.
Thus, the rooster is a symbol of France at all by chance. This country has two main symbols - the Bourbon lily and the rooster, which was inherited from the Gallic times, and as some researchers testify, was revered long before the collision with Rome, before this people received from their Roman soldiers their offensive nickname, which they managed to wear with pride. This symbol has passed through the centuries, even after more than two millennia it has still remained respected, revered. It symbolizes France in the same way as the Eiffel Tower and its other significant sights.
