- The rooster comes from a Latin pun: "Gallus" means both rooster and Gaul.
- It symbolizes pride, bravery, and vigilance, qualities attributed to France.
- It has adorned the Les Bleus jersey for over 100 years, since the early 1900s.
- Today, the rooster is golden, topped with two world champion stars.
- It is not an official state emblem, but a strong national symbol.
A rooster sits proudly on the chests of Les Bleus, and many wonder why. The answer dates back to antiquity and is based on a simple pun. You'll discover where this symbol comes from and what it represents. Let's start with its origin.
A 2000-year-old pun
It all starts with Latin. The word "Gallus" meant both "rooster" and "Gaul." The Romans therefore associated the animal with the Gallic people, and the rooster gradually became a symbol of France.
Gallus, in Latin, refers to both the rooster and the inhabitant of Gaul. This double meaning is concretely what made the rooster the emblem of France, and therefore of Les Bleus.
Over the centuries, the rooster has embodied qualities attributed to France: pride, bravery, combativeness, and vigilance. All values found in the idea of a national team.
More than 100 years on Les Bleus' jersey
The rooster appeared on the jerseys of French national teams from the early 1900s, first in rugby, then in football. It has never left them since, becoming one of the most recognizable emblems of French sport.
To understand how Les Bleus' kit has evolved around this symbol, read our article on the evolution of the French national team jersey. And to wear these colors differently, see Sawa's limited edition France jerseys.
The rooster has appeared on Les Bleus' jersey for over a century, making it one of France's oldest and most enduring sports symbols.
A golden rooster, two stars
The rooster has undergone many style evolutions. Today, it appears in gold on the chest, topped with two stars that recall the 1998 and 2018 World Champion titles.
To learn all about these stars, read our article dedicated to how many stars are on Les Bleus' jersey. Note: the rooster is not an official emblem of the French state, unlike Marianne, but it remains a very powerful national symbol.
Sawa Football designs limited edition jerseys in France on the theme of Les Bleus, exclusive and unavailable elsewhere. The rooster and blue revisited with style.
See France jerseys →Frequently asked questions
Why is the rooster the symbol of France?
Because of a Latin pun: "Gallus" means both rooster and Gaul. The Romans associated the animal with the Gallic people, and the rooster gradually became a symbol of France, adopted by its sports teams.
Since when has there been a rooster on Les Bleus' jersey?
The rooster has adorned the jerseys of French national teams since the early 1900s, first in rugby and then in football. It has been on the French national football team's kit for over a hundred years.
What does the rooster on the jersey symbolize?
The rooster embodies qualities attributed to France: pride, bravery, combativeness, and vigilance. It is a symbol of panache and character, perfectly consistent with the idea of a national team.
Why is the rooster golden and surrounded by stars?
The golden rooster is the current style chosen by the federation. The two stars above it recall Les Bleus' two World Champion titles, won in 1998 and 2018.
From the Latin pun to the golden rooster with two stars, this symbol tells more than a century of French pride. There is nothing insignificant about this little fowl on the hearts of Les Bleus. And if you fall for a France jersey, always check its origin before buying.
