The 20 Items Carried by Revolutionaries – and What They Meant

Red Flag

The red flag stands out as one of history’s most electrifying symbols of resistance and revolution. When raised high, it signals not just protest, but a bold readiness for change, often at a terrible cost. Revolutionaries carried it to show their commitment to the cause, with its color representing both the blood spilled in pursuit of freedom and the collective unity of those fighting oppression. During the French Revolution, the red flag was first waved to unite citizens against the monarchy, later becoming synonymous with socialist and communist movements. In the 20th century, it became a rallying point for labor unions and anti-colonial struggles, waving over crowds from Moscow to Havana. Even today, you’ll spot red flags at protests, showing solidarity and defiance. In modern movements, the flag is not just a relic but a living, breathing emblem of hope and struggle.

Pamphlets / Manifestos

Pamphlets and manifestos were the lifeblood of revolutionary communication, spreading ideas faster than wildfire. Revolutionaries tucked these powerful papers into their pockets, ready to hand them out in crowded streets or secret meetings. “The Communist Manifesto” by Marx and Engels is perhaps history’s most famous example, urging the proletariat to unite, and its ripples are still felt in political debates today. In the digital era, similar tracts circulate on social media, blogs, and encrypted apps, reaching far beyond physical borders. These writings didn’t just educate; they ignited hope, anger, and the sense that ordinary people could change the world. In the Arab Spring, pamphlet-style memes and manifestos were shared online, fueling uprisings. For many, these slim papers meant the difference between isolation and solidarity, between silence and the courage to act.

Weapon (Knife/Pistol/Rifle)

Weapons are a stark reminder that many revolutions are born in violence and struggle. Whether a knife, pistol, or rifle, these tools represented both self-defense and the willingness to fight for change. The American Revolutionaries shouldered their muskets, while AK-47s became the badge of liberation across Africa and Latin America in the 20th century. The presence of a weapon isn’t just practical—it’s a statement: “We will not be victims.” In modern conflicts, debates rage over gun rights and resistance, with statistics showing that armed uprisings still account for the majority of successful regime overthrows in the past fifty years. Carrying a weapon is both a risk and a declaration of commitment—an individual is no longer bystander but actor, willing to alter the course of history with force if needed.

Bandana or Mask

A simple bandana or mask can transform an ordinary person into a faceless member of a powerful movement. Revolutionaries use them to hide identities, protecting themselves and loved ones from retaliation—a tactic as important today as it was during the Paris Commune or the Zapatista uprising. Masks also create unity, turning a crowd of individuals into a collective force, as seen with the Guy Fawkes mask adopted by the Anonymous movement. Beyond anonymity, masks shield wearers from tear gas and smoke, practical tools in street battles from Hong Kong to Minneapolis. The bandana can symbolize solidarity too, with colors marking allegiance to certain causes or factions. In moments of chaos, pulling on a mask means crossing a line—stepping from the ordinary into the extraordinary world of rebellion.

Cigarettes or Pipe

Cigarettes and pipes have a peculiar place in revolutionary lore, often seen as tokens of defiance and coping mechanisms in high-stress situations. Sharing a smoke in the trenches or the jungle builds camaraderie, turning strangers into comrades. During the Spanish Civil War, cigarettes were so prized they became a sort of currency, traded for favors or information. In occupied France, a lit cigarette in a darkened room could signal trust or alliance. For some, smoking was an act of rebellion in itself—flaunting rules and savoring a small comfort in a world gone mad. Despite health risks, the image of a revolutionary with a cigarette endures, etched into history and memory.

Photograph or Token from Home

A worn photograph or humble token from home connects revolutionaries to what truly matters—their families, their land, their dreams for a better life. These small objects are powerful reminders of why the fight is worth every risk. In countless diaries and oral histories, fighters describe holding onto pictures of loved ones, sometimes tucked into a breast pocket over the heart. During the Vietnam War, American and Vietnamese soldiers alike carried letters, lockets, or even small toys as anchors to their identities. These tokens provide emotional strength, especially during long separations or moments of fear. They are personal, unspoken manifestos—proof that behind every revolutionary is a story of love and loss.

Notebook or Journal

Notebooks and journals are the quiet companions of revolution, chronicling everything from strategic plans to raw emotions. Revolutionaries like Che Guevara meticulously recorded daily life, tactics, and philosophical musings, giving later generations glimpses into their world. These records often become invaluable historical sources, shaping collective memory and providing lessons for future movements. In today’s world, traditional notebooks are joined by digital diaries—encrypted notes, voice memos, and secret blogs. Regardless of the medium, the act of writing helps revolutionaries process trauma, strategize, and remind themselves that even in chaos, their actions have meaning. A single notebook, dog-eared and stained, can outlast empires.

Rosary / Religious Symbol

Religious items like rosaries or icons are sources of strength, comfort, and sometimes controversy among revolutionaries. For many, faith offers the courage to persevere in the darkest times—believing that their cause is not just political, but divinely inspired. During the Salvadoran Civil War, Archbishop Oscar Romero became a martyr for social justice, his image and words rallying the faithful. In Poland, the Solidarity movement drew heavily on Catholic symbolism, with Pope John Paul II’s support giving hope to millions. Even in secular uprisings, some carry religious tokens for luck or spiritual grounding. These objects remind revolutionaries that their fight is woven into deeper currents of meaning, hope, and destiny.

Map or Local Terrain Guide

Maps and local guides are lifelines for guerrilla fighters, giving them the edge in navigating hostile environments. Knowing the land better than the enemy can be the difference between victory and disaster. The Viet Cong famously used detailed maps and hidden tunnels to elude American forces, turning the jungle into a weapon. In Syria and Ukraine, revolutionaries have relied on everything from printed maps to GPS apps to avoid patrols and plan ambushes. A well-worn map, often marked with routes and hiding places, is a symbol of survival and cunning. It’s a reminder that in revolution, knowledge is often the most powerful weapon of all.

Canteen or Water Flask

A canteen or water flask is an unsung hero in every revolutionary kit—without water, even the strongest will falter. Long marches, sieges, and guerrilla warfare all demand careful rationing and constant vigilance against thirst. In the deserts of Syria or the mountains of Colombia, fighters have died for lack of clean water, making each sip a precious victory. Reports from conflict zones in 2024 show that access to water remains a critical challenge, with humanitarian groups often targeted for providing aid. Carrying a canteen is a daily reminder of vulnerability and the harsh, unglamorous realities of revolutionary life.

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit can mean the difference between life and death when chaos erupts. Revolutionaries, often far from hospitals, must treat wounds quickly—sometimes with little more than bandages and antiseptic. During the 2019 Hong Kong protests, volunteer medics became heroes, patching up injuries and saving lives amid clouds of tear gas. In the Spanish Civil War, international brigades included doctors and nurses who became legends in their own right. A simple kit—bandages, disinfectant, painkillers—is a symbol of self-reliance and care for comrades. It’s also a testament to how revolutions are waged not just with weapons, but with compassion.

Radio or Communication Device

Radios and modern communication devices are the nervous systems of revolutionary movements. In the Cuban Revolution, clandestine radio broadcasts rallied supporters and spread vital news. Today, smartphones, walkie-talkies, and encrypted messaging apps like Signal or Telegram have taken their place, allowing instant coordination even under surveillance. In 2023, Iranian protestors used mesh networks to bypass internet shutdowns, proving that the battle for information is just as fierce as any street fight. A working radio or phone is a link to the world—a way to summon help, share victories, or warn of danger.

Grenade or Explosives

Grenades and explosives are grim reminders of the extremes revolutionaries sometimes reach. Used to destroy enemy infrastructure or as terrifying deterrents, these weapons can tilt the balance of power in a flash. The Irish Republican Army’s history is marked by bombings that forced the world to pay attention, for better or worse. In Iraq and Afghanistan, improvised explosive devices became the symbol—and scourge—of modern insurgency. While such violence is controversial, statistics show that sabotage remains a common tactic in asymmetric wars, often with devastating results. The presence of explosives is a blunt message: “We will not be ignored.”

Bread or Dry Rations

Bread and dry rations are the staples that keep revolutionaries going when resources run thin. Hunger is both a weapon and a motivator—during the French Revolution, bread shortages sparked riots that toppled the monarchy. In the trenches of World War I, dry biscuits and tinned meat were prized as much as ammunition. In ongoing conflicts like Yemen, access to basic food remains a desperate struggle, with relief groups reporting that starvation can break even the strongest will. Rations are a reminder that revolutions are fought not just for ideas, but for the right to survive.

Revolutionary Armband / Insignia

Armbands and insignia are badges of honor, forging identity and defiance in the face of danger. Whether a red star, a clenched fist, or a colored ribbon, these symbols unify diverse groups into a single force. Anti-war protesters wore black armbands during the Vietnam War, while resistance fighters in Ukraine have adopted yellow and blue. Insignia can also mark targets for repression, making their display a courageous act. Wearing one is a public declaration: “I am not alone in this fight.” These small signs can turn fear into pride, and isolation into community.

Books (e.g., Marx, Fanon, Mao)

Books by thinkers like Marx, Fanon, and Mao are the portable doctrines that shape revolutionary vision. Mao’s “Little Red Book” was carried by millions during China’s Cultural Revolution, while Fanon’s “The Wretched of the Earth” inspired anti-colonial struggles from Algeria to South Africa. These texts offer more than theory—they are roadmaps for action, read and discussed in secret gatherings and open rallies. In today’s digital landscape, e-books and PDFs spread revolutionary ideas faster than ever, crossing borders and censorship. For many, a battered copy of a revolutionary classic is a cherished possession, representing both hope and the weight of history.

Hammer / Sickle / Tool

Hammers, sickles, and other tools are both practical items and potent symbols. The hammer and sickle, adopted by the Soviet Union, became emblems of worker solidarity and the promise of a classless society. In strikes and protests, workers sometimes wielded their actual tools as weapons or banners, reminding everyone that revolutions begin with the laboring masses. Even outside socialist circles, tools symbolize self-reliance and the dignity of manual work. In recent years, images of tools have resurfaced in union protests worldwide, underlining that the struggle of the working class is far from over.

Chains (Broken)

Broken chains are dramatic symbols of liberation, evoking the end of slavery, colonial rule, or oppression. Abolitionists in the 19th century used images of snapped chains to rally support for emancipation, while today’s protestors still march with chain props to demand freedom from modern forms of bondage. Statues and murals around the globe depict figures breaking chains, capturing the moment of triumph over tyranny. These symbols remind all who see them that revolution is, at its core, an act of breaking free—whether from literal shackles or invisible systems of control.

Camera or Film Reel

Cameras and film reels are the eyes of revolution, capturing moments that can change the world. Iconic photos like “Napalm Girl” from Vietnam or the masked protestor in Tahrir Square have galvanized global opinion and pressured governments to act. In recent years, smartphones and livestreams have made it possible for anyone to document injustice—sometimes at great personal risk. In 2024, footage from protests in Myanmar and Iran spread instantly, bypassing censorship and rallying international support. A camera is more than a tool; it’s a weapon of truth, capable of exposing lies and inspiring change.

Poems or Songs

Poems and songs are the heartbeats of revolution, giving voice to dreams, sorrows, and unbreakable hope. “La Marseillaise,” the anthem of the French Revolution, still stirs hearts centuries later. In South Africa, protest songs helped dismantle apartheid, uniting people in a chorus of resistance. Poems by Pablo Neruda and Langston Hughes have traveled the world, reminding the oppressed that their voices matter. In every uprising, music and poetry transform fear into courage and despair into resolve. They are not just entertainment—they are lifelines, preserving the memory and spirit of revolution for generations to come.