What is a Mascot? About Face Mascots Ltd.

mascot(n) a person, animal, or thing supposed to bring good luck.
( Macquarie Dictionary.)

A Mascot can be, an identity, a selling tool, a source of entertainment and amusement for kids, (of any age), a rallying or promotion point. A mascot can be any or all of these things to a sporting club, school, business of any size, non-profit groups, shopping centres or community organizations. A mascot can exist in other forms as well as a costumed character, (i.e., in print or as a statue or model), and has a long history.

Anyone who steps onto a sporting field in costume as any mascot is joining a large club with a very long history dating back to almost the start of civilization itself. It is not a job to be taken lightly. It is something to be proud of, when you say... I am a MASCOT !
See our Mascot Performer's Tips and Checklists for great ideas to use at your upcoming events.

History of the Mascot

"The use of mascots goes back to antiquity but they were not always called mascots. The word "mascot" itself suggests a connection with the occult, being derived from the French slang word 'mascotte'. This is the diminutive of the Provencal word "masco" meaning " witch".

How the word entered the English language is a story in itself. At the turn of the century, a French composer, Edmond Audran (1842-1901) wrote a series of operettas. One of the most popular was called 'La Mascotte' (1880) a light hearted plot about a farm girl who brought good luck to whoever possessed her, provided that she remained wholesome. This ran for over 1,000 performances between 1800 and 1882. Its popularity was so great that it was translated into English and staged in England (Comedy Theatre, London, Oct 15, 1881), and the USA (Gaiety Theatre, Boston, April 11, 1882).The translated title became "The Mascot" and the concept of a mascot as a person, animal or thing, bringing luck was thus established.

Man has always admired the wild beasts he used to hunt, the grace and power of the big cats, the speed and persistence of the wolf, the intelligence of the fox and sheer power of the bear. All of these animals made fearsome opponents and early humans must have had a fair amount of guts to tackle them without today's weapons. It was this awe and respect that probably led to the adoption of these animals as tribal symbols or totems and the belief that by communing with these animals, some of these powers will magically transfer to "their" tribe. They used likenesses of these animals in their ceremonies, both in primitive costume form, and as models and statues to bring good fortune in battle, a bountiful harvest, protection against misfortune, to heal the sick, and to bring misfortune on their enemies. Some of their gods were, in fact, mascots. The earliest example of mascots in graphical and model form has to be the cave paintings in various parts of the world and the tribal statues and totem poles in existence even today.

There is much in common with a tribal elder doing a fertility dance in a mask and animal skin and a modern sporting or business mascot character. Mascots existed in model form as well as live characters. The totem poles of the North American Indians is one example, the Roman eagle is another. The English refer to themselves as the bulldog breed with the lion and bear used extensively as heraldic symbols.

The military are one of the biggest users of mascot characters, usually in graphic form. Many military units both in Australia and the USA have their own mascots. One example in Australia is W.O. Quintus, a fully grown Bengal tiger, the mascot of one of Australia's army units. Now too dangerous to take on parade, he resides in Taronga Zoo Sydney. Because of their ferocity, big cats are popular as military mascots. Bears are used as well. Most of the Australian Navy ships have their own mascots, examples include; the black panther of HMAS Brisbane, and the bat from HMAS Vampire (now decommissioned). Air force squadrons also have mascot characters.

Many of these military mascots have a long and illustrious tradition and have, in some cases, outlived their original units or ships. In some cases, the unit is formally known by its mascots name. One famous mascot, known throughout the internet is the University of Minnesota's, where a popular piece of internet software originated. It is, of course, the Gopher. "Spirit building" has become a peculiarly American phenomena, almost without equal anywhere in the world."

Bibliography:
Operetta, a theatrical history, Richard Traubner, Oxford University Press
Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and fable, Centenary edition, Cassel ,London
This text© copyright Ivan Repin 1995

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© About Face Mascots Ltd. - 2002-2003



	Anyone who steps onto a sporting field in costume as any mascot is joining a large club with a very long history dating back to almost the start of civilization itself. It is not a job to be taken lightly. It is something to be proud of, when you say... I am a MASCOT ! See our Mascot Performer's Tips and Checklists for great ideas to use at your upcoming events. History of the Mascot "The use of mascots goes back to antiquity but they were not always called mascots. The word "mascot" itself suggests a connection with the occult, being derived from the French slang word 'mascotte'. This is the diminutive of the Provencal word "masco" meaning " witch". How the word entered the English language is a story in itself. At the turn of the century, a French composer, Edmond Audran (1842-1901) wrote a series of operettas. One of the most popular was called 'La Mascotte' (1880) a light hearted plot about a farm girl who brought good luck to whoever possessed her, provided that she remained wholesome. This ran for over 1,000 performances between 1800 and 1882. Its popularity was so great that it was translated into English and staged in England (Comedy Theatre, London, Oct 15, 1881), and the USA (Gaiety Theatre, Boston, April 11, 1882).The translated title became "The Mascot" and the concept of a mascot as a person, animal or thing, bringing luck was thus established. Man has always admired the wild beasts he used to hunt, the grace and power of the big cats, the speed and persistence of the wolf, the intelligence of the fox and sheer power of the bear. All of these animals made fearsome opponents and early humans must have had a fair amount of guts to tackle them without today's weapons. It was this awe and respect that probably led to the adoption of these animals as tribal symbols or totems and the belief that by communing with these animals, some of these powers will magically transfer to "their" tribe. They used likenesses of these animals in their ceremonies, both in primitive costume form, and as models and statues to bring good fortune in battle, a bountiful harvest, protection against misfortune, to heal the sick, and to bring misfortune on their enemies. Some of their gods were, in fact, mascots. The earliest example of mascots in graphical and model form has to be the cave paintings in various parts of the world and the tribal statues and totem poles in existence even today. There is much in common with a tribal elder doing a fertility dance in a mask and animal skin and a modern sporting or business mascot character. Mascots existed in model form as well as live characters. The totem poles of the North American Indians is one example, the Roman eagle is another. The English refer to themselves as the bulldog breed with the lion and bear used extensively as heraldic symbols. The military are one of the biggest users of mascot characters, usually in graphic form. Many military units both in Australia and the USA have their own mascots. One example in Australia is W.O. Quintus, a fully grown Bengal tiger, the mascot of one of Australia's army units. Now too dangerous to take on parade, he resides in Taronga Zoo Sydney. Because of their ferocity, big cats are popular as military mascots. Bears are used as well. Most of the Australian Navy ships have their own mascots, examples include; the black panther of HMAS Brisbane, and the bat from HMAS Vampire (now decommissioned). Air force squadrons also have mascot characters. Many of these military mascots have a long and illustrious tradition and have, in some cases, outlived their original units or ships. In some cases, the unit is formally known by its mascots name. One famous mascot, known throughout the internet is the University of Minnesota's, where a popular piece of internet software originated. It is, of course, the Gopher. "Spirit building" has become a peculiarly American phenomena, almost without equal anywhere in the world." Bibliography: Operetta, a theatrical history, Richard Traubner, Oxford University Press Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and fable, Centenary edition, Cassel ,London This text© copyright Ivan Repin 1995 Return to top
	© About Face Mascots Ltd. - 2002-2003