Animal mascots: A common feature in football team crests

A tradition of symbolism

It is a common occurrence for football team crests to feature an animal as a central figure. This practice can be traced back to the early days of the sport, when teams would often adopt the animal mascot of their local area or region. For example, the English team Blackburn Rovers adopted a lion as their mascot because the animal was associated with the town of Blackburn.

A visual representation of team identity

Animal mascots can serve as powerful visual representations of a team's identity. They can embody the values and characteristics that the team wishes to project. For example, a lion might be chosen as a mascot to represent strength and courage, while an eagle might be chosen to represent speed and agility.

A source of pride and unity

Animal mascots can also be a source of pride and unity for fans. They can provide a sense of belonging and shared identity, and they can help to create a positive atmosphere at games. For example, the Dutch national team is known as the "Oranje" because of their orange jerseys, which are named after the color of the Dutch royal family. The orange jersey has become a symbol of national pride for the Dutch people, and it is often worn by fans at games to show their support for the team.