Özgürlüğün Sembolü Frig Şapkası
The Symbol of Freedom: Phrygian Cap

Summary/Abstract: The objects of ancient cultures play an active role in creating their societal traditions. These ancient objects have established their place in the history of societies as specific tools for building a culture and inventing new traditions. Anatolia is rich in terms of the ancient objects. The rich heritage of Anatolian history has been an inspiration for Anatolian civilizations. In addition, this heritage has also served as a source of nourishment for many nations, states, and political movements around the globe. Although regarded as a “social and political animal,” humankind is also an “animal symbolicum.” This characteristic of humankind has led them to furnish civilizations with symbols. Each state has various symbols to represent its beliefs, thought system, and traditions. The symbolic capacity of humankind has also had a function in the political sphere. The “Phrygian cap” which belonged to the Phrygian Civilization, one of the Anatolian civilizations dating back to the 1st millennium BC, is a prime example of this. It has become a symbol of freedom and independence not only in Anatolia but all over the globe by representing “freedom and independence.” Anatolian history has a rich culture in ancient history, as is the case with other areas of history. In addition, Anatolia is located at the crossing point where eastern and western civilizations converge. These characteristics of Anatolia enabled the “traditions invented in this region” to spread all over the globe. The present study aims to investigate how the “freedom and independence” themes of the Phrygian cap, an ancient object of Anatolian origin. People have come together around a symbol of freedom in rallies, rebellions, and demonstrations to establish their new systems. The Phrygian cap appears on the coat of arms, flags, pendants, stamps, and coins belonging to many newly established states to symbolize their freedom and independence. The current study analyzes the sources on the Phrygian cap via conducting a thorough literature review using a qualitative/historical approach and examines the cultural value of an object of Anatolia.

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