Columbia

Columbia, Ivory, 17th century, German

The utilization of national personification, or the use of an individual as the representation of a nation, has been a longstanding tool of communicating power relations and the political status quo. In this case the figure of the Indian maiden Columbia represents an allegorical figure of the continent of America seen through the eyes of Europeans. Today many people would associate the character of Uncle Sam with the United States, although many countries continue to represent their nationhood through imagery of women who convey qualities of strength, conviction, and purity. Oftentimes these figures are utilized as characters in political satire or for propaganda purposes in the interest of swaying public opinion in regards to politically sensitive issues. During the First World War the use of women as national symbols such as Britannia for Britain, Marianne for France, and Germania or Bavaria for Germany either stood as imposing guardians of liberty, truth, and justice, or as vulnerable figures that required the protection from the ruthlessness of opposing nations.