A national emblem is an

emblem An emblem is an abstract art, abstract or representational pictorial image that represents a concept, like a moral truth, or an allegory, or a person, like a monarch or saint. Emblems vs. symbols Although the words ''emblem'' and ''symbol'' ...

or seal that is reserved for use by a

nation state A nation state, or nation-state, is a political entity in which the State (polity), state (a centralized political organization ruling over a population within a territory) and the nation (a community based on a common identity) are (broadly ...

or multi-national state as a symbol of that nation. Many nations have a seal or emblem in addition to a

national flag A national flag is a flag that represents and national symbol, symbolizes a given nation. It is Fly (flag), flown by the government of that nation, but can also be flown by its citizens. A national flag is typically designed with specific meanin ...

. Other

national symbol A national symbol is a manifestation of a nation or community, serving as a representation of their National identity, identity and values. National symbols may be not only applied to sovereign states but also nations and countries in a state of ...

s, such as national birds, trees, flowers, etc., are listed at lists of national symbols.

Terms: emblem, coats of arms, seal

The design of an emblem is different to that of a

coat of arms A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon f ...

which should follow the rules of

heraldry Heraldry is a discipline relating to the design, display and study of armorial bearings (known as armory), as well as related disciplines, such as vexillology, together with the study of ceremony, Imperial, royal and noble ranks, rank and genealo ...

and so contain a shield (escutcheon) in the center. However, many unheraldic national emblems are colloquially called national coats of arms anyway, because they are used for the same purposes as national coats of arms. Some designs of national emblems can be used one-to-one for a national seal.

Seal and emblem of the United States Department of the Army Seal may refer to any of the following: Common uses * Pinniped, a diverse group of semi-aquatic marine mammals, many of which are commonly called seals, particularly: ** Earless seal, also called "true seal" ** Fur seal ** Eared seal * Seal ...

: not a ''national'' emblem/seal but an example for a emblem ''and'' a seal, see also
Department of the Army Emblem
U.S. Army Center of Military History The same for some national coats of arms like the

Great Seal of the United States The Great Seal is the seal of the United States. The phrase is used both for the Seal (emblem), impression device itself, which is kept by the United States secretary of state, and more generally for the impression it produces. The Obverse and r ...

which is actually a coat of arms ( achievement) on a seal. File:Coat of arms of Antigua and Barbuda.svg, Coats of arms have a shield or escutcheon in the center.
( Coat of arms of Antigua and Barbuda) File:Coat of arms of Haiti.svg, The Emblem of Haiti looks like a coat of arms but has no shield. File:Coat of arms of Mexico.svg, The Emblem of Mexico is officially called the "Coat of arms of Mexico" even though there is no heraldic shield. File:National emblem of Indonesia Garuda Pancasila.svg, The

National Emblem of Indonesia The national emblem of Indonesia is called in Indonesian. The main part is the Garuda with a heraldic shield on its chest and a scroll gripped by its legs. The shield's five emblems represent '' Pancasila'', the five principles of Indonesia' ...

as it is called, even though it qualifies to be called a coat of arms (there are escutcheon,

motto A motto (derived from the Latin language, Latin , 'mutter', by way of Italian language, Italian , 'word' or 'sentence') is a Sentence (linguistics), sentence or phrase expressing a belief or purpose, or the general motivation or intention of a ...

, and

supporter In heraldry, supporters, sometimes referred to as ''attendants'', are figures or objects usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up. Historically, supporters were left to an individual's free choice and were assu ...

). File:Great Seal of the United States (obverse).svg, An example for a national coat of arms ( achievement) on a seal.
(

) File:Seal of the Government of National Unity (Libya).svg, The Emblem of Libya can be used 1:1 as a seal.

References

{{Authority control Insignia

Terms: emblem, coats of arms, seal

See also

References