Symbolism
“In all ages, the achievements of man and his aspirations have been represented by symbols” noted an official at the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor more than 100 years ago. Although unaware at the time of the importance of his words, the speaker proved prophetic.
Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi’s monument took the form of a colossal statue of a woman dressed in classical Roman clothing, symbolizing the Roman goddess of Liberty. She wears a crown of seven rays representing a nimbus or halo. In her left hand she carries a tablet bearing the date July 4, 1776 in Roman numerals to commemorate America’s birth as an independent nation. The torch in her right hand represents liberty enlightening the world. Beneath her feet are severed shackles and chains representing the universal symbol of freedom and the abolition of slavery in the United States.
Courtesy hmdb.org
