Why Is France Football Symbolized by a Rooster?

The origins of the Gallic rooster in French history

Believe it or not, the story goes waaay back — like, Roman times old. The Latin word Gallus meant both “Gaul” (as in the ancient territory that became France) and “rooster.” Pretty convenient, huh? The Romans probably found it funny, but over time, the joke kinda turned into a badge of honor.

In medieval France, the rooster (or le coq gaulois) slowly started popping up in religious art and on weather vanes. But it wasn’t until the French Revolution that it took on real patriotic meaning. The bird became a symbol of resilience, pride, and watchfulness — basically a metaphor for a nation that doesn’t back down.

So yeah, it’s not just about football. It’s in the DNA.

The rooster takes the pitch: Why it suits football perfectly

Proud, loud, and maybe a little cocky?

Let’s face it: a rooster struts like it owns the yard. And if there’s one animal that embodies the spirit of football — the confidence, the flair, the drama — it’s definitely not a turtle. A rooster crows to be heard, stands tall, and doesn’t shy away from a fight. Sounds a bit like Les Bleus when they face off against England, no?

That proud chest-puffing energy? Kinda fits Kylian Mbappé’s style, if you ask me.

National identity on the jersey

Since the early 1900s, the French football team has used the rooster on their kits. It started officially showing up around 1909, stitched onto their shirts with elegance and pride. Over time, the design evolved — sometimes stylized, sometimes minimalist — but the essence remains: a rooster crowing for France.

And when France won the World Cups in 1998 and 2018? That rooster became more than a mascot. It was a king.

The rooster vs. other national animals: An odd but charming choice

When you compare it to other national animals — say, the lion for England or the eagle for Germany or the USA — the rooster might seem... quirky? Like, it's a farm bird. Not exactly the king of the jungle.

But that’s kinda the point. The French rooster isn’t pretending to be anything else. It’s authentic, uniquely French, and symbolic of everyday bravery. Plus, it's stubborn — and everyone knows the French are famously headstrong (in a good way... most of the time).

Controversy and memes: The rooster has its haters too

Okay, real talk: not everyone loves the rooster. Some critics think it’s too “rural” or too goofy for a modern nation. In the age of branding, some people want a sleeker, edgier mascot.

Also, when France loses, the memes roll in. “The chicken got roasted.” “Coq au vin time.” Yeah, the internet can be brutal.

Still, the symbol endures — and honestly, fans embrace it. At Euro tournaments or World Cups, you'll see inflatable roosters, rooster hats, even tattoos. Once, at a 2016 Euro match, I saw a guy dressed in a full chicken suit, clucking every time France scored. Legend.

The rooster beyond football: A national icon in daily life

You’ll spot the rooster not just on football jerseys, but on French coins, postage stamps, and even kitchen decor (seriously — those little rooster-themed dish towels? Totally a thing in rural France).

For many, it represents the rural soul of the country — proud, independent, and loud when it needs to be. It’s also a symbol of morning, of light after darkness. Kinda poetic, no?

Final whistle: More than a bird, it’s a legacy

So why is France football a rooster? Because it always was. Because history made it so. And because on the field, like in the farmyard, the rooster claims its space and makes its presence heard — loud and proud.

And hey, in a world full of lions and dragons, sometimes all you need… is a rooster who believes he’s the king.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.