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Colors of the Paris National Guard (France) during the French Revolution (1789-1792)

3. Description (3/6)

Last modified: 2018-07-14 by ivan sache
Keywords: paris national guard |
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  • Part 1. Historical background
  • Part 2. Sources describing the colors and analysis

See also:

Récollets District (3rd Division, 1st Battalion)

[Flag]

Color of the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875

The district was named for the Recollect convent located Faubourg Saint Martin, transformed during the Revolution in an hospital for the elderly.

White flag. In each corner, a yellow fleur-de-lis pointing centrewise. At the top a yellow "3". At the bottom, a yellow "I" (not visible on Tisserand's rendition). In the centre, two staffs crossed in saltire and surmounted by a crown. Below a silver scroll with the motto "POUR LA LIBERTE" (French: For Freedom).
White sash.
Flag offered by the citizens of the district.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition; Margerand's rendition]

Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018

Saint Nicolas des Champs District (3rd Division, 2nd Battalion)

[Flag]

Color of the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875

The district, presided by Rousseau, was named for the St. Nicolas-des-Champs church, originally built before 1119 near the St. Martin-des-Champs priory. The erection of the present-day church was started in 1420 and completed in the 16th century.
In 1623, on Lent day, St. Louise de Marillac (1591-1660, canonized on 11 March 1934 by Pope Pius XI) experienced in the church an effusion of the Holy Ghost, which prompted her to establish the Company of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Quartered flag. The first quarter white with a silver scroll inscribed "SANS UNION" (French: Without Unity). The fourth quarter white with a silver scroll inscribed "POINT DE LIBERTE" (French: No Liberty). The second quarter blue with a white cloud charged with a yellow monogram (SNC?). The third quarter red with a white cloud charged with a yellow monogram (SNC?). In the centre, the coat of arms of Paris in an oval shield, surmounted by a spear topped with a red Liberty Cap.
White sash.
Flag offered by the citizens of the district.
The flag was blessed on 9 August 1789, in the presence of Lafayette.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition]

Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018

Sainte Élisabeth District (3rd Division, 3rd Battalion)

[Flag]

Color of the 3rd Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875

The district was named for the St. Elisabeth convent and church, established by Franciscan nuns. Closed in 1790, the convent was transformed into a flour store. The church was reestablished a parish church in 1803.

Flag quartered blue-red by a white cross. In each corner a yellow garland lining the edges of the flag. In the centre, fasces topped with a silver Liberty Cap, overall a silver flag. Overall a silver scroll bordered red with the motto "VAINCRE OU MOURIR" (French: To Win or To Die).
White sash.
Flag offered by the citizens of the district.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition]

Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018

Saint Merry District (3rd Division, 4th Battalion)

[Flag]

Color of the 4th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875

The district, presided by Magimel, writer, was named for the St. Merry church, whose building started around 1520 and was achieved only in the beginning of the reign of Louis XIII (crowned in 1610). In 1793, the church was transformed into the Temple of Commerce.

Flag quartered red-blue by a white cross. In the red quarters, a silver ship. In the blue quarters, three yellow fleurs-de-lis 2 + 1. In the centre, a lion, surrounded by the writing "4e Bataillon" "3e Division". Above a silver scroll with the motto "FORCE LIBERTE PAIX" (French: Strength, Liberty, Death).
White sash.
Flag offered by the commander of the Battalion.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition]

Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018

Carmélites / Sépulcre District (3rd Division, 5th Battalion)

[Flag]

Color of the 5th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875

The district was named for the Carmelite convent founded in 1617. Closed in 1790, the convent was transformed into a ballroom under the Directory.

Flag quartered red-blue by a white cross. In the first quarter, an allegoric rural scene, featuring a rooster. In the second quarter, a white shield with three yellow fleurs-de-is, crowned and surrounded by branches. In the third quarter, the coat of arms of Paris (?), crowned and surrounded by branches. In the fourth quarter, a fasces over two cannons crossed in saltire. In the centre, a mantle charged with different tools. Below a parchment inscribed "DISTRICT DES CARMELITES". Above, a silver scroll with the motto "NOTRE UNION FAIT NOTRE FORCE" (French, Our Unity makes our Strength).
White sash.
Flag offered by the ladies of the district.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition]

E. Liris explains that the color features, in a quite elaborated way, the emblems of the three orders grouped to form fasces. Nobility is represented by a golden-hilted swoard. Clergy is represented by a crozier. The Commune of Paris is represented by a spade, a rake, and a sickle, accompanied by a hand of justice; the whole is surrounded by a snake whose head lies on a mirror. Beneath the trophy, two hands hold a caduceus surmounted by a cap. This tortured composition recalls the complexity of untiy, which requires cohesion, but also care and wisdom.
The charges placed in the color's corners echo to each other, representing old and new or renewed symbols. A rooster with a silver crest announces the conquest of liberty, as opposed to a fasces of pikes; in the two other angles, the Royal crown is opposed to the ship representing the town of Paris.

Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018

Filles Dieu District (3rd Division, 6th Battalion)

[Flag]

Color of the 6th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875

The district was named for the convent founded in 1226 and subsequently transferred in an hospital built in 1316 near the St. Denis Gate. The convent was demolished in 1798.

Flag quartered red-blue by a white cross. The quarters each charged with 10 x 10 yellow fleurs-de-lis. In the canton of the first quarter, a coat of arms (Paris?). In the lower right part of the fourth quarter, a yellow anchor pointing centrewise. In the centre Joan of Arc framed in a square diamond, over an arrow pointing upwards and two fasces topped by a Liberty Cap crossed in saltire. Above, a silver scroll inscribed "MON COURAGE SAUVA L'ETAT" (French, My Courage saved the State).
White sash.
Flag offered by the citizens of the district.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition]

Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018

Prieuré Royal de Saint Martin des Champs District (3rd Division, 7th Battalion)

[Flag]

Color of the 7th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875

The district was named for the fortified abbey of St. Martin des Champs. In 1789, the monks offered the abbey to the State, which transformed it into the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts ("Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers").

White flag with a military scene representing a rooster on a cannon in front of a tent. Below, a silver scroll with the writing "DISTRICT DE ST MARTIN DES CHAMPS". Above, a silver scroll with the motto "JE VEILLE POUR LA PATRIE" (French, I watch for the Homeland).
White sash.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition]

Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018

Enfants Rouges District (3rd Division, 8th Battalion)

[Flag]

Color of the 8th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875

The district was named for the hospital for orphans ("Enfants de Dieu", God's Children), founded in 1536 by Marguerite of Navarre, the sister of King François I. The children wore red (rouge) clothes, then the symbol of charity; therefore, the name of the hospital became Enfants Rouges (Red Children). The hospital was closed in 1772, the orphans being transferred to the Enfants Trouvés hospital, located on the Cité island. The chapel of the former hospital was used as the seat of the section of the National Guard, subsequently the Homme Armé section.

Flag quartered red-blue by a white cross. The quarters each charged with 4 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 4 (18) yellow fleurs-de-lis. In the centre a ship flying a silver plain flag. Above, a silver scroll inscribed "VIS UNITA FORTIOR" (Latin, United Strength is Stronger).
White sash.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition; Margerand's rendition]

Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018

Saint Laurent District (3rd Division, 9th Battalion)

[Flag]

Color of the 9th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875

The district, presided by Incelin, former municipal councillor, was named for the St. Lawrence convent and church. St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) died and was buried in the convent. On the eve of the storming of the Bastile, the convent was looted by the mob because grain and flour was stored there. The church was demolished in 1823.

Flag quartered red-blue by a white cross. At the top, the letters "S" and "L". In the centre an allegoric figure holding a spear topped with a Liberty Cap, framed by a circular wreath. At the top of the wreath, a silver scroll inscribed "EX VIRTUTE LIBERTAS" (Latin, Liberty from Courage).
White sash.
Flag offered by the citizens of the district.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition; Margerand's rendition]

Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018

Pères de Nazareth District (3rd Division, 10th Battalion)

[Flag]

Color of the 10th Battalion of the 3rd Division - Image by Lazare-Maurice Tisserand, 1875

The district was named for the Notre Dame de Nazareth convent, established in 1630 by members of the Third Order of St. Francis, supported by Chancellor Séguier. Subsequently known as Nazareth Fathers, the monks left the place in 1791, while demolition of the church had already began.
[French National Library]

White flag. In the centre Hercules slaying a dragon, framed by an oval wreath. In the upper right and lower left corners, Louis XVI's monogram. In central left and right, a fleur-de-lis. Charges (unreadable) in the upper left and lower right corners Above the wreath, a silver scroll with the motto "IL EST ENFIN TERRASSE" (French: It is finally slayed). Red-blue sash.
The color was blessed on 9 August 1789.
[Vieilh de Varenne's rendition; Margerand's rendition]

E. Liris explains that the color features a violent fighting from the past. A half-naked savage triumphs over a two-headed, monstruous beast. The terrifying enemy, representing aristocracy, is about to die: the savage tramples one of the heads with his feet and strangles the second one. Caricatures from the time commonly represent "despotism brought down, or the big beast's hunt". The savage is represented like Hercules slaying the Hydra of Lerna, the fighting for freedom being transposed into an heroic mode.
The rooster holding the scroll, usually announcing the new morning, proclaims the victory over aristocracy and the birth of a new world that shall allow "National Union", represented here as an equilateral triangle inscribed in a circle.

Ivan Sache, 24 January 2018