paris 2024 olympics mascots refresh historical phrygian cap to fluffy 'phryges'

The phryges are jumping for joy

The Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games have revealed their official mascots, and they’re so fluffy and cuddly that it will be a sin not to offer them as stuffed toys during and after the event. The Phryges are a revamped and fashionable style of the historical Phrygian caps back in the day, which affords the attendees a chunk of history based on a symbol of freedom.

The Phrygians might have capped French people in their revolutions, but the conical cap was also worn by the Greeks – a symbol of a foreign captive – the Romans, the Persians, and the Scythians, so its origin doesn’t originally stem from France. But since it appears in French history, Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games thought their events can be great territories to bring back the historical caps as mascots in the name of sports. ‘With the Phryges, let’s drive a revolution through sports!’ the official Olympics site writes.

images courtesy of Paris 2024 Olympics

The Phrygian cap appears in French history as a symbol of freedom and bravery during the country’s revolutions, along with being an emblem of the French Republic. The Phrygian cap can even be seen on the French national icon Marianne, depicted in busts at town halls across the country as well as on stamps.

The cap also makes its way into the national curriculum in schools, gracing its presence as a stark reminder of liberty. Warriors wore them in battles, and such a spirit is also invoked in sports. The Games can’t see any reason why the Phrygian cap shouldn’t come forward as the official ambassador of the Olympics.

the Phryigian cap

The Phrygian caps follow french lineage

The Phryges mascots of Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games follow a lineage that rolls in the French National Archives (and other countries’ history such as Greece and Italy), showing records of Phrygian caps worn during the construction of Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral in 1163, during the revolution of 1789, during work to build the Eiffel Tower, and during the Games in 1924.

Today, the once immobile conical caps refresh their look with jumpy, celebratory mascots, almost taking parts of their design cues from starfish. Their googly eyes ooze party spirits (except for the others who want to appear fierce, so they topple half of their eyes with their red eyelids), and their eyelashes carry the French flag. They’re ready to bring festivity to the adrenaline-fueled arenas in Paris.

Marianne wearing the Phrygian cap

The Phryges are also gendered as a ‘she’, and there are two Phryges representing each game. The Olympic Phryge knows the importance of measuring all the various parameters to achieve her goals, just like a true Olympic Athlete. ‘With her sharp mind, she is modest and prefers to hide her emotions. The Olympic Phryge will lead the movement of all those who take part in sport,’ the Olympics describes.

Turning to the Paralympic Phryge, her running prosthetic boosts her speed as fast as an antelope. ‘Her thing is to blaze a trail, some might say she is fearless, which might be true, but one thing is certain, she hates to be bored and loves trying out new things. From racket sports to speed events, with a partner, as a team, or on her own, she is always game,’ the Olympics writes. Both in their element, the Phryges are ready to set the events ablaze with their competitive natures.

Marianne with Phryge

the phryges mascots Gearing up for 2024

As of publishing this story, there are 617 days left before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and 650 days before the Paralympic Games. The athletes are preparing for the game of their life, and accompanying them are the Phryges who have been making appearances as a reminder of the games and as a wake-up call to the players to keep pushing forward and practicing, just like how they were seen in history.

‘Our two heroines now have two years to get France and its people active,’ the Olympics writes. In the meantime, viewers can join the festivity of the conical caps and keep their eyes out for potential merchandise of these fluffy mascots.