Puma, clover, coconut tree, rooster, etc. The emblems of the nations participating in the Rugby World Cup all have a story. And the Natural History Museum of Toulouse tells them in the exhibition Naturally rugby launched on the occasion of the competition which starts this Friday, in France. As for the writing of 20 minutesshe has made a selection for you, so that you can shine on Saturday against Australia-Fiji.
It’s the story of the rooster who continues to crow with his feet in the shit… We know it. But the choice of our national emblem, we owe it to our best enemies: the English. This bird which has adorned the jersey of the XV of France since the first victory of the Five Nations in 1910 was born from numerous puns between the rooster Gallus and the Gaul Galli. The English had fun emphasizing the singularity between the two words and pointed out that the French, in particular King Philippe Auguste, were as proud as the farmyard animal. The rooster still remains the symbol of combativeness, pride and beauty.
Coal, a rustic flower with sharp spines, symbolizes the resistance of the Scottish people to the English people. Legend has it that in the 11th century, Vikings attempted to conquer Scotland by attacking at night. They took off their shoes to be more discreet without thinking about the possible coals on the road. They will raise the alarm with their cries of pain… allowing the Scots to take the advantage and save the country.
- The South African springbok
The players of the South African rugby team are nicknamed the Springboks after the gazelles very common in the country. The players would approach it with their speed and agility. This symbol is associated with that of a Royal Proteus, the emblematic flower of the country which was added to the jerseys in 1994, at the end of Apartheid.
A little less in derision than to nickname the French, the English chose the Tudor rose. This flower has been their symbol since the end of the 15th century. Red with a white heart, it represents the union of the royal house of Lancaster (a red rose) and that of York (a white rose) at the end of the Wars of the Roses. Ironically, the real name of this rose is… the French rose (Rosa gallica).
Inevitably associated with the black jersey marked with the fern, the New Zealand XV has worn this symbol since 1888. And for good reason, ferns are very widespread in New Zealand. It is also called Fernland which means land of the fern. For the black side, the color would represent for the players the mourning of their opponents… Atmosphere.
- Jaguar and puma for the Argentinians
Argentine players are called Los Pumas. However, until 2023, their emblem was the jaguar. Following a journalist’s error in 1965, confusion arose between the two very different felines. The puma is a model of perseverance and determination.
- Ostrich feathers for Wales
The Wales team emblem is made up of three ostrich feathers in reference to the victorious battle of Crécy in 1346 at the heart of the Hundred Years’ War. Indeed, the Prince of Wales Edward of Woodstock received from his father Edward III, King of England, the three feathers which adorned the helmet of John I, their adversary who died in battle.
This tree is a strong symbol of the practice of rugby in the country. Its wood is often used to build poles and its fruit, the coconut, can sometimes act as a makeshift balloon for children…