Emblem of Israel
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The coat of arms of Israel shows a menorah surrounded by an olive branch on each side, and the writing "ישראל" (Hebrew for Israel) below it. While the background of the emblem is always blue, the menorah and olive branches can be either white or golden. The white-on-blue version appears on the presidential standard, while the gold-on-blue version is the common one when showing the emblem independently.
The State of Israel adopted its coat of arms 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, such as Oteh Walisch and W. Struski's and Itamar David and Yerachmiel Schechter's entries.
The image seems as if borrowed from the Zachariah (chapter 4); "I looked and behold a golden menorah with a bowl upon the top of it and seven lamps to it…and there are two olive trees by it, one upon the right of the bowl the other upon the left." However it is unclear whether this resemblance is intended or merely coincidental. The Shamir brothers did not mention this passage from Zachariah as the source of their design, even though they gave detailed account on their work in an interview to Maariv (February 16, 1949).
The menorah has been a symbol of Judaism for almost 3000 years. It was used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The olive branches symbolize peace.
The coat of arms of Israel is depicted on the front cover of Israeli passports.
[edit] References
- Alec Mishory (2003-04-28). The Flag and the Emblem. Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved on 2007-04-01.
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