All eyes were on Lady Gaga as she belted out the American national anthem for Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday, but it wasn’t just her impressive vocals or her Schiaparelli haute couture gown which stole the show.
The piece that drew most attention was her eye-catching golden brooch, which was attached to the lapel of her dress and featured a dove carrying an olive branch.
Fans took to Twitter to compare the dove brooch to the mockingjay bird seen in Suzanne Collins’ popular dystopian series The Hunger Games.
In both the novel and the films the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, wears a mockingjay pin to symbolise defiance and rebellion against the government.
“Lady Gaga rebelling against the Trump government, love it,” one social media user tweeted.
Another wrote, “Lady Gaga knocked it out of the park at the Hunger Games Opening Ceremony.”
However after her performance the singer shared a photo of the golden brooch on Twitter, along with its true meaning.
A dove carrying an olive branch. May we all make peace with each other. pic.twitter.com/NGbgKM9XiC
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) January 20, 2021
She wrote: “A dove carrying an olive branch. May we all make peace with each other.”
The day before Lady Gaga had shared another heartfelt message of unity for her 45 million Instagram followers.
“I pray tomorrow will be a day of peace for all Americans,” she wrote in the accompanying caption of a photo of herself at the US Capitol.
“A day for love, not hatred. A day for acceptance not fear. A day for dreaming of our future joy as a country. A dream that is nonviolent, a dream that provides safety for our souls.”
Doves have long been a symbol of peace. In ancient Greek mythology they symbolised love and the renewal of life and in ancient Japanese culture a dove carrying a sword marked the end of war.
The brooch made as much of a fashion statement as it did a political one, matching perfectly with Lady Gaga’s dress, which was designed by Masion Schiaparelli and compromised of a navy cashmere fitted jacket and a red silk faille skirt.
In a statement, Schiaparelli creative director Daniel Roseberry added: "As an American living in Paris, this ensemble is a love letter to the country I miss so dearly and to a performer whose artistry I have so long admired.
"Maison Schiaparelli is honored to have this chance to dress the iconic Lady Gaga on this historic Inauguration Day. God Bless Lady Gaga and God Bless America.”
