The state occupying territories in South-West Asia has been in the spotlight in recent years, since it is characterized by an unstable political, economic and cultural situation. During the twentieth century, the coat of arms of Iraq also underwent several cardinal and minor changes.
Brief excursion
The first coat of arms appeared in 1921 and existed until 1958. He was the main symbol of the Kingdom of Iraq. The image of the coat of arms of that time included:
- purple royal robe with white trim;
- precious royal crown;
- round shield;
- animal supporters;
- olive branch and cotton.
The symbol of the Asian state reflects the main dominants of the European tradition of heraldry (shield, supporters, crown, mantle), as well as the main heraldic colors: silver, scarlet, blue, gold.
In 1959, a year after Iraq was proclaimed a republic, a new state symbol was adopted. He lost all the royal regalia, pomp and solemnity. But it acquired conciseness and expressiveness. This coat of arms featured the sun (in the form of rays), a red eight-pointed star. In the center there is a round shield with a golden ear inside. Along the contour of the circle, local types of edged weapons and inscriptions are presented on a white background. In this form, the coat of arms existed until 1965.
Eagle of Saladin
Since 1965, the so-called Saladin's eagle appears on the state emblem of Iraq. From that moment on, the main symbol of the country also undergoes changes, but all of them are insignificant, they relate to individual elements, but not the predatory feathered, which occupies the central place.
The bird is depicted standing on two powerful legs with claws. The wings are raised up and wide open, the bird's head is turned to the left. Two colors are used to depict the eagle - yellow, corresponding to heraldic gold, and black, which is present in the drawing of the wings and tail.
On the eagle's chest there is a shield painted in the colors of the national flag of Iraq, the stripes (red, white, green) are arranged horizontally. There is an Arabic inscription on the white stripe. The eagle holds in its paws a green scroll, also bearing the Arabic inscription "Republic of Iraq". Oriental motifs are clearly traced in the outline of the scroll.
Since 1965, on the shield of the main symbol of Iraq, the stripes of the flag were placed vertically, three green stars were depicted on the white stripe. Since 1991, the arrangement of the stripes has become horizontal.
