National Arms of Iran

From Heraldry of the World
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Logo-new.jpg
Heraldry of the World
Iran.jpg
Iran heraldry portal
Iran.flag.gif

THE NATIONAL ARMS OF IRAN

Coat of arms (crest) of National Arms of Iran
Official blazon
English blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

Iran does not use arms, but only the above emblem.

Persia

Historically the Kingdom of Persia (which lasted until 1979) used a symbol consisting of a lion, sun and a wreath. This combination was to represent ancient Iranian, Arab, Turkish, and Mongol traditions and was used for centuries.

The symbol has had many historical meanings. First, it was an alledgedly an astrological and zodiacal symbol. Under the Safvis and first Qajar kings, it received a specifically Shi'ite interpretation. In the Safavid era the lion and sun stood for two pillars of the society, state and religion. It became a national emblem during the Qajar era. In the 19th century, European visitors at the Qajar court attributed the lion and sun to remote antiquity and since then it got a nationalistic interpretation.

Persia1.jpg

The symbol unti l907 (source)

During the reign of Fat'h Ali Shah and his successors the motif was substantially changed. These changes were on the form of the lion, the sun. A crown was also placed on the top the symbol to represent the monarchy.

Persia2.jpg

The symbol from 1907-1925 (source)

Since the reign of Fat'h Ali Shah Qajar, the Islamic component of the ruler de-emphasized, but the symbol remined in use in different forms until 1932.

In 1932, seven years after the foundation of the Imperial State of Iran, Reza Shah founded the Order of Pahlavi with the official emblem of the dynasty (Mount Damavand with a rising sun) in a medallion of the Order's badge and star. A new national coat of arms was created with Iran's national and Pahlavi's dynastical symbols: Lion and Sun, Faravahar, Zolfaghar, Simurgh and Pahlavi's arms in the center.
At the top of the coat of arms was the Pahlavi crown, created for the Coronation of Reza Shah in 1926, and the collar of the Order of Pahlavi was under the shield.

Two lions with scimitars were used as supporters. The Imperial motto "Mara dad farmud va Khod Davar Ast" ("Justice He bids me do, as He will judge me" or, alternatively, "He gave me power to command, and He is the judge").

Persia3.jpg

The national arms from 1932-1979 (source)

The arms on collector's items

Coat of arms (crest) of National Arms of Iran

The arms on a postcard (around 1910)
Coat of arms (crest) of National Arms of Iran

The arms on a Dutch trade card (1910s)
Coat of arms (crest) of National Arms of Iran

The arms on a british tobacco card
Coat of arms (crest) of National Arms of Iran

The arms on a German trade card (1920s)
Coat of arms (crest) of National Arms of Iran

The arms on a british tobacco card (1917)



Contact and Support

Partners:

Your logo here ?
Contact us



© since 1995, Heraldry of the World, Ralf Hartemink Ralf Hartemink arms.jpg
Index of the site

Literature : -