Estelle Schwartz Belford was five years old when she and her family immigrated from Romania to America in 1905. After an arduous journey by sea, Estelle described what it meant to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time as the ship sailed into New York Harbor:
And then all of a sudden we heard a big commotion and we came to America. And everybody started yelling they see the Lady, the Statue of Liberty. … Everybody started screaming and crying. You were kissing each other—people that you didn’t even know before that were alongside of you and you never paid any attention. Everybody was so excited that you see America and you see the Lady with her hand up.
Estelle Schwartz
With her torch lifted heavenward and her crown of light rays on her head, the Statue of Liberty may be one of the most recognized and inspirational monuments in the world. But what is the meaning of the Statue of Liberty, and why is that meaning important for us today?
Test Your Knowledge of the Statue of Liberty
What do you already know about the meaning of the Statue of Liberty? Test your knowledge with this fun quiz. You can click a question to see the answer, but try to answer without looking.
1. What country gave the statue to America, and why?
The statue was a gift from France. It commemorated not only the friendship between the two lands, but also the ideals of liberty as shown by the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the abolition of slavery.
2. What is the formal name of the Statue of Liberty?
“La Liberté éclairant le monde,” or “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
3. What are some other names for the Statue of Liberty?
In a sonnet by Emma Lazarus, the statue is personified as the “Mother of Exiles,” referring to the welcome she offers those coming to the United States. She is also sometimes fondly referred to as “Lady Liberty.”
4. How many rays are in the Statue of Liberty’s crown, and what do they represent?
There are seven rays. While the original meaning isn’t certain, suggested meanings include (1) the light of freedom extending to the world; (2) the seven seas and seven continents of the earth, indicating the universal importance of liberty; and (3) seven essential human freedoms.
5. What is written on the tablet held in Lady Liberty’s left hand?
The date July 4, 1776, written in Roman numerals, commemorates American Independence Day.
6. What lies at the feet of Lady Liberty, and why?
A broken shackle and chain represents liberty breaking the chains of bondage and commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States.
7. What is unique about the statue’s right foot?
Her right foot is raised as if walking, symbolizing the forward progress of liberty.
How did you do? To learn more, keep reading!
The Birth of an Idea
Édouard René de Laboulaye, a native of France, was a strong proponent of liberty—perhaps because he had experienced firsthand Napoleon’s repressive regime. Laboulaye vigorously opposed slavery, serving for a time as chairman of the French Anti-Slavery Society. He also supported President Abraham Lincoln in the United States in his opposition to slavery during the American Civil War.
When the Civil War ended in 1865, Laboulaye conceived the idea of creating a monument as a gift from the people of France to the people of America. He had several things in mind—besides honoring the friendship between France and America, he wanted to commemorate America’s Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the recent abolition of slavery.
Bringing the Idea to Life
Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, an architect and sculptor, was intrigued by Laboulaye’s idea. He began designing a massive statue representing the ideals of liberty. His design was rich in meaning, incorporating these elements:
- Though there were probably multiple influences on the form of the statue, it bears a resemblance to Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty.
- The statue’s crown is said to represent light “extending out to the world.” Some have suggested that the seven rays on the crown represent the seven seas and seven continents, implying the global importance of liberty.One writer suggested that the seven rays of her crown represent seven vital freedoms, including civil liberty, personal liberty, and religious liberty.
- The torch in her right hand represents enlightenment, showing the path to liberty.
- A tablet in her left hand is inscribed with the date of the United States Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776).
- A broken shackle and chains lie at the statue’s feet, representing liberty breaking the chains of bondage, including the abolition of slavery in the United States.
- Her right foot is raised, suggesting forward motion and continued progress of freedom.
The formal name of the statue is “La Liberté éclairant le monde,” or “Liberty Enlightening the World.”
Another Meaning for the Statue of Liberty
As you might imagine, constructing the Statue of Liberty wasn’t cheap. Fundraising took place both in France and the United States, and the final cost is estimated to have been around $400,000—close to $12 million in US dollars today.
To help with fundraising efforts, poet Emma Lazarus was asked to write a poem that would convey the meaning of the Statue of Liberty. The result was her sonnet “The New Colossus,” which appeared in the New York Times. Lazarus, a descendant of Russian Jewish immigrants, wove into her poem the plight of many around the world seeking freedom. The poem’s theme centered on America as a place of refuge, and she referred to the Statue of Liberty as “the Mother of Exiles,” who welcomed those from other lands.
Lazarus’s poem added a layer of meaning that complemented and extended the original symbolism—a meaning that was powerful to Estelle Bedford and many others who found a new home in America.
The Ongoing Quest for Liberty
At the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in 1886, U.S. President Grover Cleveland spoke of the responsibility to keep the fires of liberty alive until “a stream of light shall pierce the darkness of ignorance and man’s oppression, until Liberty enlightens the world.”
Though many nations around the world have seen progress over the years, our global society is still working toward the ideal of liberty. Reflecting on the meaning of the Statue of Liberty helps us keep that important goal in front of us. As individuals, families, and nations, we all have a role to play in standing for and celebrating the cause of freedom. Lady Liberty inspires us to keep walking forward until liberty is a reality for every human being.
To learn more about your family members who may have seen the Statue of Liberty as they arrived in the United States, visit the Ellis Island and Castle Garden page in the FamilySearch Research Wiki. This page includes a link to the Ellis Island Family History Center, located less than a mile from the Statue of Liberty, with 65 million immigrant records.
Discover My Immigrant Ancestors for Free
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As an expert in history and cultural symbolism, I can delve into the rich narrative behind the Statue of Liberty, bringing to light the intricate details that contribute to its profound significance. My extensive knowledge in this area allows me to provide a comprehensive exploration of the concepts embedded in the article about Estelle Schwartz Belford and the Statue of Liberty.
The passage opens with Estelle's personal account of arriving in America in 1905, vividly describing the emotional experience of seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time. This narrative sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the meaning behind this iconic monument.
The subsequent quiz tests readers' knowledge about the Statue of Liberty, introducing key concepts that form the basis of its symbolism. Now, let's break down the core concepts discussed in the article:
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Origin and Purpose:
- The statue was a gift from France, given to the United States to commemorate their friendship and the ideals of liberty expressed in the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
- The formal name of the Statue of Liberty is "La Liberté éclairant le monde," or "Liberty Enlightening the World."
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Alternate Names:
- The Statue of Liberty is personified as the "Mother of Exiles" in a sonnet by Emma Lazarus, emphasizing its role as a symbol of welcome to those coming to the United States.
- It is also affectionately referred to as "Lady Liberty."
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Symbolic Elements:
- The crown of the statue has seven rays, with suggested meanings including the light of freedom extending globally, representing the seven seas and continents, and symbolizing seven essential human freedoms.
- The tablet in Lady Liberty's left hand bears the date July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals, commemorating American Independence Day.
- At the feet of Lady Liberty lies a broken shackle and chain, symbolizing the abolition of slavery in the United States.
- The statue's right foot is raised, symbolizing forward progress and the continual march of liberty.
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Historical Background:
- Édouard René de Laboulaye, a Frenchman, conceived the idea of the monument as a gift from France to the United States after the American Civil War.
- Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, an architect and sculptor, brought Laboulaye's idea to life, designing the statue with rich symbolism.
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Poetic Contribution:
- Emma Lazarus's sonnet "The New Colossus" added a layer of meaning to the Statue of Liberty, emphasizing America as a place of refuge and the statue as the "Mother of Exiles."
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Fundraising and Cost:
- The construction of the Statue of Liberty involved fundraising efforts in both France and the United States, with the final cost estimated at around $400,000, equivalent to approximately $12 million in today's U.S. dollars.
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Ongoing Significance:
- The dedication of the Statue of Liberty in 1886 emphasized the responsibility of keeping the fires of liberty alive, with the aspiration that liberty would enlighten the world.
- The ongoing quest for liberty is highlighted, encouraging individuals, families, and nations to play a role in standing for and celebrating the cause of freedom.
This thorough analysis showcases the multifaceted layers of symbolism and historical context surrounding the Statue of Liberty, underscoring its enduring importance in the pursuit of liberty and freedom.
