<P> Fasces, like many other symbols of the French Revolution, are Roman in origin . Fasces are a bundle of birch rods containing an axe . In Roman times, the fasces symbolized the power of magistrates, representing union and accord with the Roman Republic . The French Republic continued this Roman symbol to represent state power, justice, and unity . </P> <P> During the Revolution, the fasces image was often used in conjunction with many other symbols . Though seen throughout the French Revolution, perhaps the most well known French reincarnation of the fasces is the Fasces surmounted by a Phrygian cap . This image has no display of an axe or a strong central state; rather, it symbolizes the power of the liberated people by placing the Liberty Cap on top of the classical symbol of power . </P> <P> Cockades were widely worn by revolutionaries beginning in 1789 . They now pinned the blue - and - red cockade of Paris onto the white cockade of the Ancien Régime - thus producing the original Tricolore cockade . Later, distinctive colours and styles of cockade would indicate the wearer's faction--although the meanings of the various styles were not entirely consistent, and varied somewhat by region and period . </P> <P> The tricolore flag is derived from the cockades used in the 1790s . These were circular rosette - like emblems attached to the hat . Camille Desmoulins asked his followers to wear green cockades on 12 July 1789 . The Paris militia, formed on 13 July, adopted a blue and red cockade . Blue and red are the traditional colours of Paris, and they are used on the city's coat of arms . Cockades with various colour schemes were used during the storming of the Bastille on 14 July . The blue and red cockade was presented to King Louis XVI at the Hôtel de Ville on 17 July . Lafayette argued for the addition of a white stripe to "nationalise" the design . On 27 July, a tricolore cockade was adopted as part of the uniform of the National Guard, the national police force that succeeded the militia . </P>

Short note on political symbols of french revolution