MATRA LOGO

[Derek]

It looks to me as though the Matra logo is a rooster or chicken.  Am I correct?  And, if so, why was this symbol chosen?

Derek, USA

[Spyros]

French symbol

[Spyros]

There is also the other logo representing a rocket because of the military activities of Matra  

[Derek]

Roosters/Chickens are symbols of France?  I did not know this.  What is the reason behind this?

Derek, USA

[Spyros]

http://www.archives.premier-ministre.gouv.fr/juppe_version1/HIST/COQ.HTM

[Derek]

Merci, Spyros, mais mon francais est pauvre.  I thank you for teaching me something today.  I am ashamed I did not know this earlier.  I had always considered the Fleur d'lis to be the traditional symbol of France.  Typical American, right?

Anyway, I guess this effectively ends this string.  I enjoyed learning from it.

[Spyros]

Hi Derek,

The Lys flower is the symbol of the French royalty. Something they shortened...

[Matra_Hans]

As I understand it the background for the cockerel/Le Coq, as a symbol of France is that the Latin word “gallus” has two meanings i.e. cockerel/rooster and Gaelic. So if you speak Latin: France and the Coq is one and the same thing.
According to www.motorlegend.com Matra the used the Le Coq logo on their race cars as a supplement to the other Matra logo which symbolizes a missile.
However my Bagheera form 1974 has Le Coq logo on the dial of the  sppd-o-meter not in colour but in white lines on a black background and with MATRA printed beneath it.
Does anyone know if Le Coq can be found on any other MATRA production cars?
Regards Hans

[Spyros]

On the 530.