20 Hidden Meanings In The World’s Most Famous Monuments

The Statue of Liberty is a well-known symbol of freedom, but did you know that the New York monument is full of intricate details? Since every detail is hard to catch when you’re just passing by on a boat full of tourists, let me break it down for you. If you look closely, there are broken chains at the statue’s feet, which represent being liberated from oppression. The torch signifies enlightenment. The seven rays on her crown reflect the seven seas, signifying that everyone in the world should be free. And if you really squint, the tablet she holds has the date July 4, 1776, written on it — the date of America’s independence.

Have you ever wondered why George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln were the four presidents picked for Mount Rushmore National Memorial? Well, it wasn’t because they were favored or even random picks. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum picked those presidents because he believed they best represented four defining stages of America. Washington was picked because he represents America’s birth. Jefferson represents America’s expansion. Roosevelt symbolizes America’s development. And finally, Lincoln represents America’s preservation, as he kept the country together throughout the Civil War.

There are many famous monuments in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe being one of them. The monument was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to celebrate the victories of the French military. If you’re like me and just looked at this monument from afar, snapped a quick picture, and moved on, you may have missed the hundreds of engraved names hidden on the structure. These include the names of generals and battles. And beneath the monument, you can find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a member of the French military who died during the First World War.

A sphinx is a mythical creature that has the head of a human and the body of a lion. These creatures represent strength and wisdom. The Great Sphinx of Giza is the oldest known monumental sculpture in Egypt, and the reason it was built was to protect the royal pyramids as well as the pharaoh.

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, was originally built in 1791 to serve as a symbol of peace. However, when the Berlin Wall was built in 1961, the gate’s meaning went in the complete opposite direction, now representing division. But have no fear, when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the gate was back in good graces, representing unity and reconciliation.

Abraham Lincoln believed that all men were created equal, and that democracy is government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” So, the Lincoln Memorial was created to reflect Lincoln’s beliefs and his push to redefine democracy in America. The monument looks very much like a Greek temple, which is fitting as ancient Athens is considered the world’s first democracy. The monument also has 36 columns to represent the number of states at the time of Lincoln’s death.

The Washington Monument was completed in 1884 to honor George Washington, America’s first president. But have you ever wondered why the monument is an obelisk? Well, obelisks date back to ancient Egypt, where they represented strength and a connection between Earth and heaven. They were originally built in Egypt to honor gods, so having an obelisk built in your honor is quite the achievement, and definitely something I’d brag about!

Nelson’s Column can be found in Trafalgar Square, and while the monument is officially dedicated to Horatio Nelson, a prominent Royal Navy officer who led many victories for Britain, there’s also a broader meaning to it. You can see lions surrounding the base of the monument, which symbolizes courage and vigilance.

The Eiffel Tower just might be the most famous monument in the world. Right in the center of the city of love, it’s the perfect backdrop to any photo or even marriage proposal (I should know, I got engaged in front of it!). It was originally built to showcase French industrial power, but it then became a symbol of scientific progress.

Built in 1965, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, is a stunning centerpiece of the Gateway Arch National Park. While the monument represents America’s expansion out west, it also represents a more general idea that there’s a gateway to new opportunities just waiting for us.

The Monument to the Discoveries represents exactly what it says in its name. You can see several figures carved into the bow of a ship, all representing different explorers, missionaries, scientists, and cartographers. Portugal was clearly very proud of its maritime achievements!

Many people think that Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, represents just a religious blessing. However, his outstretched arms were actually designed to represent peace and acceptance. It’s an open invitation that says you are accepted here, and a hope that you can be that person for someone else.

Chicago’s Cloud Gate, or more famously “The Bean,” is a must-see sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor. The sculpture is fully reflective, so you’ll see many people standing in front of it, taking photos as if they’re standing in front of a mirror. Cloud Gate was created to symbolize how each person can shape one another, and how everyone together creates the world we live in.

One of my favorite Disney movies is The Little Mermaid, so I was very pleased to discover that the famous mermaid has her own statue sitting on the rocks of Copenhagen harbor. This bronze mermaid, created by Edvard Eriksen, was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. The mermaid is gazing out to sea, which represents sacrifice and longing.

The Angel of Independence is a stunning golden figure, soaring high in the sky in Mexico City. The angel isn’t supposed to represent anything religious; it actually represents victory. The angel’s laurel crown is carried high above her head as a symbol of triumph, while the broken chains symbolize freedom.

The Marine Corps War Memorial is based on a famous photograph, Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. In both the photo and monument, six service members can be seen working together to raise the American flag. It goes to show that sometimes working together is the way to go.

The Moai stone statues were created by the Rapa Nui people on Easter Island. Most of the statues face inland, watching over villages. This represents ancestors protecting their descendants. It’s such a sweet way to look at this monument.

Lions seem to pop up everywhere, but it makes sense when you want your monument to symbolize bravery and power. In the Terrace of the Lions, the people of Naxos carved marble lions as a dedication to the god Apollo. These lions symbolized prestige and acted as guardians, protecting the sacred site.

The Monument to the Unknown Hero, located on Mount Avala near Belgrade, Serbia, was built to honor unidentified soldiers who sadly lost their lives during the First World War. The monument also features eight female caryatid figures. The figures, who represent Yugoslavia’s different regions, guard the monument, symbolizing national unity.

The stunning Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is carved from a massive block. This block is called the Stone of Hope, which comes from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. In it, he says, “With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.” Hope can be found even in the darkest of times and places.

This content was created with the help of AI.