The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, painted by the artist Le Barbier in 1790.

 The Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen 

1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. 

2. The aim of every political association is the preservation of the natural and inalienable rights of man; these are liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression. 

3. The source of all sovereignty resides in the nation; no group or individual may exercise authority that does not come from the people. 

4. Liberty consists of the power to do whatever is not injurious to others. 

5. The law has the right to forbid only actions that are injurious to society. 

6. Law is the expression of the general will. All citizens have the right to participate in its formation, personally or through their representatives. All citizens are equal before it. 

7. No man may be accused, arrested or detained, except in cases determined by the law. 

11. Every citizen may speak, write and print freely; he must take responsibility for the abuse of such liberty in cases determined by the law. 

12. For the maintenance of the public force and for the expenses of administration a common tax is indispensable; it must be assessed equally on all citizens in proportion to their means. 

17. Since property is a sacred and inviolable right, no one may be deprived of it, unless a legally established public necessity requires it. In that case a just compensation must be given in advance. 

Political Symbols

The majority of men and women in the eighteenth century could not read or write. So images and symbols were frequently used instead of printed words to communicate important ideas. The painting by Le Barbier uses many such symbols to convey the content of the Declaration of Rights. Let us try to read these symbols

The broken chain: 

Chains were used to fetter slaves. A broken chain stands for the act of becoming free.

The bundle of rods or fasces: 

One rod can be easily broken, but not an entire bundle. Strength lies in unity

The eye within a triangle radiating light: 

The all seeing eye stands for knowledge. The rays of the sun will drive away the clouds of ignorance.

Sceptre: 

Symbol of royal power.

Snake biting its tail to form a ring: 

Symbol of Eternity. A ring has neither beginning nor end.

Red Phrygian cap: 

Cap worn by a slave upon becoming free.

Blue-white-red: 

The national colours of France.

The winged woman: 

Personification of the law.

The Law Tablet: 

The law is the same for all, and all are equal before it.