Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post - {Ethereal stuff} national personifications

Curmudgeon · 05-14-2019, 12:16 PM

Marianne has been the personification of both France and Liberty since the Revolution, taking firm hold by the middle of the 19th century.

John Bull dates from the early 18th century. Martial Britannia predates him by fifty years on the coinage but may go back to Roman times. There is also the Lion of England. It's also possible that the three are different manifestations of the same ethereal.

John Bull has a sister, Peg (Scotland) and there is also the Unicorn of Scotland.

New Zealand has Britannia's daughter, Zealandia.

Canada has Johnny Canuck, a lumberjack figure wearing a Mountie-style Stetson, dating from about Confederation, who is cousin to both John Bull and Uncle Sam. There is an unnamed female form, a young (teen/young adult) daughter of Britannia, who is sometimes identified with Kipling's Our Lady of the Snows.

The U.S. also has a female spirit form, Columbia.

05-14-2019, 12:16 PM	#2
Curmudgeon Join Date: Sep 2011	Re: {Ethereal stuff} national personifications Marianne has been the personification of both France and Liberty since the Revolution, taking firm hold by the middle of the 19th century. John Bull dates from the early 18th century. Martial Britannia predates him by fifty years on the coinage but may go back to Roman times. There is also the Lion of England. It's also possible that the three are different manifestations of the same ethereal. John Bull has a sister, Peg (Scotland) and there is also the Unicorn of Scotland. New Zealand has Britannia's daughter, Zealandia. Canada has Johnny Canuck, a lumberjack figure wearing a Mountie-style Stetson, dating from about Confederation, who is cousin to both John Bull and Uncle Sam. There is an unnamed female form, a young (teen/young adult) daughter of Britannia, who is sometimes identified with Kipling's Our Lady of the Snows. The U.S. also has a female spirit form, Columbia.