Historical Sites

The Statue Of Liberty: The Symbol Of Freedom, Or A Monster Waiting To Come Alive?

The Statue of Liberty, standing against the New York City skyline, is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. It symbolizes many positive things, such as freedom, democracy, and hope. As crucial as these messages are, we’re not here to discuss them. Call me crazy, but I’ve always seen The Statue of Liberty as a scary object. As a kid, I could almost imagine the Statue of Liberty coming to life and destroying New York City, which means I must have seen a few too many weird movies in my youth.

But it turns out I’m not alone. Like many other historic structures, the Statue of Liberty also has a darker side or even dangers attributed to it. In the following review, we’ll show you everything you need to know, including scary facts about The Statue of Liberty and its numerous appearances in horror films.

When Was The Statue Of Liberty Buit?

The Statue of Liberty, or in its full name, “Liberty Enlightening the World,” is located on Liberty Island in New York. A French sculptor named Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi created this impressive structure in collaboration with Gustave Eiffel, who is known to be responsible for another and no less famous structure (Yap, The Eiffel Tower in Paris.)

The initial plan of Bartholdi was to create a similar structure specifically for the Suez Canal area, but this project didn’t get the desired green light because of its high cost. Years later, Bartholdi used the same concept to design the statue at his new address in New York, south of Manhattan. After about ten years of strenuous work, the statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886.

The question we need to ask is who gave the Statue of Liberty to The United States, and in general – what does the Statue of Liberty represent? The simple answer is France, who gave the statue to the Americans as a gift from the French people (note, not the French government). The target was to symbolize the two countries’ alliance and shared values, such as freedom and democracy.

A large part of the story is political. The French Republicans feared the significant rise in power of the monarchists, their rivals on the political map, and wanted to strengthen the connection with the great American republic.

The statue of liberty with red eyes and scary smile (AI)

How Does The Statue Of Liberty Look Like?

You probably know what the Statue of Liberty looks like, as it is one of the most famous icons in the world. However, there are a few points that you may not have noticed. The central figure of the statue is a woman wrapped in a cloak, holding a torch aloft in her right hand and a tabula ansata in her left. The date July 4, 1776 (ULY IV MDCCLXXVI) is engraved in Roman numerals on the tabula, symbolizing the United States’ Independence Day.

This woman represents Libertas, the goddess who personifies Liberty in Roman mythology, so she wears a traditional robe associated with ancient Rome. The legend says that Auguste Bartholdi, the one who designed The Statue of Liberty, as you should recall, took the inspiration for the statue’s body from his wife’s body and the face after the appearance of his mother.

On The Statue of Liberty head, you will find a crown with seven points, with an appearance that resembles the sun. The seven points represent the seven oceans and continents that freedom should reach. The torch in Libertas’ right hand symbolizes the light of freedom that is supposed to illuminate the world. At the same time, the slab represents the law and justice associated with the United States, at least ostensibly.

The Statue of Liberty Scary isolatied and creepy (AI)

What Is The Statue Of Liberty Chain?

At the bottom of the statue, you will find sandals and a broken chain on one of the legs. This addition does not express the Roman goddess’s fondness for sadomasochistic games – she is not the goddess of love, after all – but rather the liberation from slavery, which was clearly expressed with the abolition of slavery in America. Critics will argue that the statute was born in sin since freedom was not standard in the United States then. Another critique is that the statue expresses imperialism, a term we don’t always see positively.

The idea was that immigrants arriving in the United States by sea would see the statue, which seemed to show them the wave with the torch. The statue should remind them they came to “The land of unlimited possibilities,” a place with new opportunities and freedom. In fact, at one point, it was even planned that the statue would serve as a lighthouse and that the torch would shine to welcome ships, which did not come to fruition due to inefficiency.

How Tall Is The Statue Of Liberty?

The height of The Statue of Liberty, from the ground to the tip of the torch at the top, is 92.9 meters. If you remove the base, the statue rises to about 46 meters. The total weight of the statue is about 204 tons.

In years past, it was possible to reach almost the very top and get a broad view from the “crown.” The problem is that in 2001, the September 11 attacks came, including the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, and the rules changed. The United States decided to limit entry to the upper part of the statue because this area turned out to be less safe for visitors. Today, you can only reach the base of the statue, which is 156 steps high, where you can also find The Statue of Liberty Museum.

A structure that has stood for several hundred years must undergo renovation from time to time. One of the most significant projects in this regard occurred in 1986, with massive renovations costing about $76 million. As part of this, the torch was replaced, and in the current version, it is 24-karat gold. The original torch is displayed today in The Statue Liberty Museum, located at the base of the statue.

The statue of liberty horror image (AI)

What Color Is The Statue Of Liberty Really?

You may be surprised to hear that the Statue of Liberty was not green when at the beginning. The color of the statue depends on its materials. Its skeleton is made of metallic materials such as iron and steel coated with copper plates. Therefore, for several decades, the statue was the reddish-brown shade that characterizes copper, a color reminiscent of a penny.

Over time, especially in the early 20th century, the statue began to be covered with patina. This greenish compound forms naturally on metal surfaces over time due to the metal’s oxidation. Since then, its color has been green, which has become one of its most recognizable symbols.

This is not terrible news. The patina gives the statue a luxurious look (in fact, many artists intentionally coat their works with it) and protects it from the ravages of time and weather.

Here is a long but interesting video explaining everything you need to know about the inside of the Statue of Liberty and its history.

The Scary Sides Of The Statue Of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is much more than just a monument. On the bright side, it is a powerful symbol of freedom, hope, and democracy. On the flip side, which is, of course, more interesting to us, the statue can be a source of some fear and anxiety. Its height, isolated location, somewhat ominous appearance, and use as a symbol of destruction in popular culture all contribute to the statue’s dark and frightening side.

You can see The Statue of Liberty as a somewhat ominous object, and a quick Google search showed that I’m not the only one who thinks so (haha!). One of the most frightening aspects of the Statue of Liberty is its height. Although it is not the tallest structure in New York City – the city’s tallest skyscraper is the “Freedom Tower,” standing at about 541 meters (or 104 floors) – it is still possible to understand why people with a fear of heights might find the thought of climbing to the top of the statue daunting. The good news is that climbing to the top of the statue is impossible today so this fear can become smaller.

the statue of liberty scary (AI)

It is impossible to talk about New York after September 11, 2001, and not address the fear of terrorism. Although the statue itself was not a target in the most horrible terrorist attack in history, unlike the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, it is difficult to claim that one can be 100% calm that there will not be attempts to damage it in the future, mainly due to the symbolism.

In any case, the fact that the statue stands alone on a small island in New York Harbor evokes a sense of isolation, which may be disturbing. The statue’s location also exposes it to natural hazards such as hurricanes, floods, and rising water levels. You can see it clearly in disaster films, some of which we will discuss later.

Due to the height of the statue and the fact that it is coated with copper, which conducts electricity, it is a victim of lightning strikes. According to estimations, the statue gets hit by about 600 lightning bolts yearly. The torch can move a few inches in each direction if the wind is strong.

NYC Sightseeing Pass

What’s Inside The Statue Of Liberty?

Another critical point is that some people may perceive the appearance of the Statue of Liberty as scary. With its determined gaze, the figure’s large, frozen face looks a little inhuman – dramatic lighting when the statue is illuminated, for example, can increase this effect.

The patina developed on the statue gives it an ancient and somewhat mysterious appearance, as if it were a relic of an ancient civilization preserved until the 21st century. The statue’s interior, with its exposed metal skeleton and narrow stairs, looks intimidating to some people.

Not surprisingly, there are rooms and passages inside the statue that are not open to the general public, and as we know, what is out of our reach can also be intimidating. As is tradition, urban legends have been created over the years, and various conspiracy theories related to the statue have developed. Some seem to come from a Dan Brown book, like encrypted messages, secret tunnels, etc.

Is The Statue Of Liberty Haunted?

Like many famous buildings and scary historical sites across the globe, the Statue of Liberty also has ghost stories. The claim – mainly from the people who live or work in the port – is that at night, you can hear noises here that are not exactly human, with creaks, knocking on the wall, and other horror movie cliches.

Although we would be happy if these stories were true, as a horror fans, there probably is a more scientific explanation for their appearance. As we wrote, the statue is made of connected metal plates. Extreme weather can cause the small metal parts to move, which makes the clicking and other scary sounds. The weakening of the metal and the accumulation of patina, due to time and contact with water, also cause some movement between the overlapping parts.

Even before Liberty Island was named that, it was called Bedloe’s Island. The legend says that William Kidd, the famous Scottish pirate (“Captain Kidd”), came here to bury his treasures. According to the stories, there used to be a military installation here. Two soldiers guarding it decided to try to dig and search for the treasure. At one point, they let out a scream, after which one of them was found unconscious. The other explained that they had found a wooden box, and a scary demon appeared when they were about to open it. Each of them described it differently, but the bottom line is that they believed they had encountered the ghost of Captain Kidd, who had breathed sulfur on one of them.

Scary statue of liberty emerges from the water (AI)

A Symbol Of Destruction And Devastation: The Statue Of Liberty In Culture

The Statue of Liberty symbolizes not only New York and America but also global values ​​of freedom and brotherhood. It should come as no surprise that its destruction, with all its symbolic significance, is at the center of quite a few apocalyptic films – especially horror, disaster, and science fiction films.

In these texts, the statue is presented as a victim of destruction or as a symbol of the fall of human civilization, which may increase the fear dimension of the statue. These scenes remind us that even the most prominent and substantial things can fall and evoke a deep fear of disaster and loss.

The repeated use of the Statue of Liberty in these contexts emphasizes its status as a powerful cultural symbol whose destruction represents a threat to the values ​​of freedom and democracy themselves. You can see this, for example, in the poster for “Independence Day: Resurgence,” Ronald Emmerich’s bombastic 2016 sequel. In the movie, aliens threaten Earth again, including some of its most famous and iconic places, like New York.

Another more recent example is “Civil War,” which features soldiers on the Statue of Liberty’s torch in its poster – suggesting that this time, in the film’s dystopian future, the battle is between the US government and what are known as “Western separatist forces.”Civil war 2024 poster

Famous Scenes Of Liberty Scenes

Ghostbusters 2 Statue Of Liberty Scene

“Ghostbusters 2” (1989) came five years after the first film, which was a huge hit. It featured the beloved cast of the Ghostbusters and their gang – including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, and Harold Ramis – facing off against strange demons again. The plot here is weird even by the standards of a comedy fantasy film, with a mysterious purple liquid and the ghost of a cruel medieval count. Still, the bottom line is that Ghostbusters have to prevent the destruction of New York, facing off against the Count’s ghost.

In one of the film’s most famous and heartwarming scenes, the protagonists enter the statue’s crown and make the magic to bring it back to life. The statue is moved by them, emerges from the water, and walks through the streets of New York to carry out a heroic mission.


Cloverfield Statue Of Liberty Scene

As a horror fan, the first example that comes to mind is the excellent Found Footage film “Cloverfield” (2008). The horror, disaster, and science fiction film, directed by Matt Reeves (“Planet of the Apes,” “Let Me In”) and produced by J.J. Abrahams, offers an apocalyptic tale in which a giant monstrous creature attacks New York City.

In one of the film’s climaxes, the severed head of the Statue of Liberty is thrown into the streets of Manhattan, attesting to the sheer devastation. This image of the destruction of the iconic American symbol as if it were a toy held by a nervous child during a tantrum shows not only the tangible danger of the heroes – but also the fragility of everything we think is safe and stable.

Some would criticize the head size, claiming that The Statue of Liberty head in “Cloverfield” is too small, but size doesn’t matter, anyway. I hope.


The Statue Of Liberty Twist In The Original Planet Of The Apes

“Planet of the Apes” from 1968, based on a novel of the same name by Pierre Boulle written five years earlier, is one of the most important and influential science fiction films in history. In this masterpiece, we meet astronauts who arrive in the distant future on a strange planet, where the population consists of monkeys who have become so intelligent that they can speak. In contrast, humans have become enslaved (speaking of the Statue of Liberty).

The film presents one of science fiction’s most familiar and iconic twists. If I may sin with a few spoilers – seriously, this is a freaking 1968 film – at the end of the film, one of the heroes arrives in the “forbidden” zone and sees the buried remains of the Statue of Liberty there. The shocking discovery shows that the group did not come to another planet but to Earth in the distant future. We learn that society was destroyed, probably as a result of a nuclear war.

Over the years, some have argued that this twist in the middle of The Statue of Liberty scene in “Planet of the Apes” doesn’t make sense, but it’s hard to ignore its importance.


Apocalyptic New York In The Day After Tomorrow 

Ronald Emmerich’s bombastic disaster film “The Day After Tomorrow” (2004), starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, and Amy Rossum, is considered one of the most successful in history. The film shows what might happen if all the dire predictions of weather experts and global warming fears come true. The result is bald patches, polar vortexes, giant tsunamis, and other surprises threatening to destroy humanity and New York.

The “new” ice age is expressed in the film, among other things, in a memorable scene in which a giant tsunami washes over New York, and the Statue of Liberty appears to be almost completely submerged. On the one hand, the statue stands firm against the forces of nature threatening to drown it. Still, the feeling is one of helplessness, or if you prefer, of man’s smallness in the face of human nature.


How To Visit The Statue Of Liberty?

It is impossible to come to New York and miss the Statue of Liberty, even if some tourists will be content with a look from afar. You can explore the statue in several ways:

🗽 A guided tour, which may also include other attractions (for example, Ellis Island and the Immigration History Museum located within its boundaries)

🗽 part of a list of various attraction cards of New York, such as the Sightseeing Pass

🗽 A visit to The Statue of Liberty Museum, which presents its history and important facts about it

🗽 A panoramic cruise around The Statue of Liberty and other important sites in New York, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and the Empire State Building

🗽 A direct ferry to the statue for a few dozen dollars

🗽 Want to see the Statue of Liberty for free? You can take a free ferry to Staten Island, which passes very close to the statue. The trip takes about half an hour and departs in each direction about every half-hour


Here are some of the main tourist attractions around the Statue of Liberty:


Products Inspired By The Statue Of Liberty

As befits a modern icon, the Statue of Liberty is reflected in a long line of products from all walks of life – so you don’t have to come to New York to experience it. You will find, among other things:

🗽 Statue of Liberty costumes of all kinds (Statue of Liberty costumes for children, adults, women, and even sexy costumes)

🗽 Clothing items, including dresses, pajamas, socks, underwear, etc.

🗽 Specific accessories, especially the crown or torch

🗽Statue of Liberty Lego Sets

🗽Statue of Liberty Puzzles, from standard 2D puzzles to much more complex sets, like 1000 pieces of 3D Puzzle

🗽 Statues of various sizes, which is a bit ironic

🗽 Statue of Liberty Funko Pops, some revolved around a specific TV series or movie: Hello Kitty, Spiderman, and more

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