Emblem of Israel

Emblem of Israel
Details
Armiger	State of Israel
Adopted	10 February 1949
Escutcheon	Bleu celeste, a Menorah Argent between two olive branches of the same; in base the legend "ישראל‎" (Israel) Argent
Motto	ישראל‎ "Israel"

The Emblem of the State of Israel (Hebrew: סמל מדינת ישראל‎, translit. Semel Medinat Yisra'el‎; Arabic: شعار دولة إسرائيل‎‎) shows a menorah surrounded by an olive branch on each side, and the writing "ישראל" (Hebrew for Israel) below it. Most commonly light blue and white, the coat of arms does appear in different colour combinations depending on the use (see below).

History

The image used on the emblem is based on a depiction of the menorah on the Arch of Titus.

The State of Israel adopted the symbol after a design competition held in 1948. The design is based on the winning entry submitted by Gabriel and Maxim Shamir's proposal, with elements taken from other submissions, including entries from Oteh Walisch, W. Struski, Itamar David, Yerachmiel Schechter, and Willie Wind, whose entry won the first design competition.^[1]

Symbolism

The image used on the emblem is based on a depiction of the menorah on the Arch of Titus. The menorah was used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem and has been a symbol of Judaism since ancient times. It symbolizes universal enlightenment, based on what is written in Isaiah 60: "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn".

The emblem may also be based on the vision of the biblical prophet Zechariah, chapter 4, where he describes seeing a menorah flanked by two olive trees, one on each side.^[2]

Seventh Independence Day stamp - 150 mil. Inscription on tab: "The Seventh Independence Day", "Memorial Day for the Fighters for Independence",

Flagettes and banner of the Flag of Israel decorate a house during Israel's Independence Day, 2007.

The olive branches symbolize peace. The symbol is used on coinage.

Versions

• 
  Standard of the president
• 
  The seal of Mossad displays Menorah from the Emblem

See also

• National symbols of Israel
• Arch of Titus
• Menorah (Temple)

References

1. "Israel. Naissance d'un Etat. En Images. Dinosoria". Dinosoria.com. Retrieved 2013-11-24.
2. Mishory, Alec. The Israeli Emblem. Jewish Virtual Library. . American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. Accessed 9 Jul. 2012.

• Alec Mishory (2003-04-28). "The Flag and the Emblem". Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2007-04-01.

External links

• State of Israel Emblem page in Shamir Brothers works collection web-site - Designers of the emblem in 1949
• Media related to Emblem of Israel at Wikimedia Commons