Mascot
- For other uses, see Mascot (disambiguation).
Often the choice reflects some desired quality (e.g. fighting spirit i competition symbloized by warriors or predators) or an already well-known local or other trait.
Tribal symbols and totems can be considered as mascots. Mascots are also popular with the Military, both on a large scale such as the United States Marine Corps Bulldog, or on the scale of individual units. Nations can also have mascots, such as the Eagle, the symbol of Imperial Rome, the United States and Nazi Germany, or the Bulldog and the lion like the symbol of Britain; even a continent can have a mascot, such as the Condor symbolizing South America.
A mascot is not always an animal or person; for example, Stanford University's mascot is a color (cardinal), and its band's mascot is a tree.
In the United States, there has been controversy surrounding some mascot choices, especially those of human characters. Mascots based on Native American tribes have proven particularly contentious, as many argue that they constitute offensive exploitations of an oppressed race. However, such debates are not unique to Native American mascots: Alfred University, a school of about 2,000 students in Western New York State has the "Saxon" as its mascot. Its representation is a charging Knight in armor. Meant to symbolize strength and Courage, others protest that the Saxon represents Chauvinism and Rape.