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'Der Deutsche Michel' (literal. "The German Michel") is a personification of the German nation, much as Uncle Sam is for Americans and Marianne for the French. He is usually depicted wearing a nightcap and nightgown, sometimes in the colours of the German flag, and represents the Germans' conception of themselves, especially in his easy-going nature and Everyman appearance. He also represents the innocent and simple person who must endure and fight against tyranny and injustice.
In German, ''Michel'' is also the (today not very often used) short form of Michael.
Hamburger Michel is a nickname for the Baroque St. Michaelis Cathedral in Hamburg, Germany. It's also used as the German name of the popular Swedish children's book's character "Emil" (Emil of Maple Hills), although the name "Emil" also exists in German and the two names do not have anything in common. The reason the name was changed from "Emil" to "Michel" is that another famous character by German author Erich Kästner was also called Emil (Emil and the Detectives) and the publishing house wanted to avoid confusion.

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See also

See also

★ National personification

★ John Bull

★ Marianne

★ Uncle Sam

★ Johnny Canuck

★ Johnny Reb

★ Jacobin

★ Aura the Finnish Maiden

★ Columbia

★ Britannia