There is a lot of debate about the meaning of the Philadelphia Eagles mascot. One theory is that “Eagle” refers to Aesclepius, a Greek god who was born from an egg and had the power to heal people. Another theory states that “eagles” represent vigilance, bravery, and speed. In addition, the eagle’s wings are typically depicted as being spread wide open so it can fly through the sky freely.
History of the Philadelphia Eagles Mascot
The first recorded depiction of an eagle appears in a ninth-century Old English poem entitled “Lacnunga.” In the poem, the speaker describes a man who hides himself in a pile of fish by the river. The first published image of an eagle in an American newspaper was in a picture of a bald eagle taken on December 5, 1766 by Charles Bird King. The image appeared in the New York Gazette and General Advertiser.
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The first actual eagle to have the Philadelphia Eagles name attached to him was Jack Folliard, a Civil War veteran who lived in South Philadelphia. Folliard died in 1883 at the age of 87. Although his family didn’t know it, Jack Folliard was the original Philadelphia Eagles mascot.
Jack Folliard was also the first man known to have a barbershop named after him.
The Meaning of the Philadelphia Eagles Mascot
Hope Caldwell’s version of the Philadelphia Eagles mascot as revealed in 1898.
Another theory is that the name “Eagle” refers to Aesclepius, a Greek god who was born from an egg and had the power to heal people. Another theory states that “eagles” represent vigilance, bravery, and speed. In addition, the eagle’s wings are typically depicted as being spread wide open so it can fly through the sky freely.
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According to the Wikipedia, the eagle is said to represent the Greek goddess of hunting and war, who is the eagle’s father. Another theory explains the pointy beak as the Greek eagles beak has three small teeth in the front that resembled the wings of the birds.
The Changing Faces of the Great Eagle
In the first century, Celtic Vikings left their mark on the continent as they conquered, plundered, and ravaged. They had a large impact on the local culture and religion. The Vikings had a strong belief in deities who personified specific areas.
This is when the Eagles mascot first comes to life. In 1507, the Vikings, led by the infamous “Great Baltic Duke” Olof Skötkonung, came to the city of Philadelphia and turned the colony into a major military garrison.
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Over the centuries, Native Americans and later Black Americans settled and also contributed to the city’s history. While the Vikings, Native Americans, and Black Americans kept the city safe from the attacks of the Vikings, Americans adopted the Eagles mascot as their own.
