The United Arab Emirates, or UAE, is an Islamic country in the Middle East. This is a unique state that combines the features of a republic and an absolute monarchy. The main values and aspirations of the country are reflected in its national symbols. What does a federation flag look like? Which predator is depicted on the emblem of the UAE and why?
Arab Emirates Flag
The national flag appeared on December 2, 1971. The day before, an independent federation of the United Arab Emirates was created, freed from British influence. Emblem of the UAE was adopted later.
The flag is similar to the symbol of Jordan, Sudan and Kuwait. It depicts the standard pan-Arab colors: red, green, white and black. They symbolize the unity of the nation and reflect the main values and aspirations of the population. According to tradition, each of the pan-Arabian flowers also means a certain era or dynasty.
The flag canvas is divided into four equal stripes. The red strip is located vertically near the pole itself. It means unity. This color was a symbol of the Kharijit, the first Islamic religious and political group.
The other three stripes are located horizontally. The bottom black line symbolizes the wealth and prophet Muhammad. The middle white stripe is the neutrality and color of the Umayyad caliphate. The upper green bar indicates the Fatimid dynasty. In many Muslim countries, green is the color of Islam.
Description of the coat of arms of the UAE
The emblem of the country is no less interesting. In its modern form, the emblem of the UAE was adopted in March 2008. The main figure in his composition is the golden falcon. The wings of the bird are wide, but their ends are down, the head is turned to the left side (when viewed from the side of the viewer).
On the falcon’s chest in a circle is a national flag depicted as a convex lens (a lens with negative distortion). Seven small stars are placed along the edges of the lens equidistant from each other. In its paws the bird holds a red ribbon on which the name of the country is written in a Kufic letter.
The last emblem of the UAE was very similar to the present, but with slight differences. He first appeared in 1973. On it was also an image of a bird with a red ribbon in its paws. Inside the circle on the chest of the bird was not a flag, but a ship. It was a schooner dow - a historical sailing ship, on which Arab sailors, pearl divers and pirates set sail. The schooner was depicted on a red background - a symbol of struggle and courage, and under it blue waves were depicted.
Coat of arms symbols
The Falcon is a simple figure, but at the same time full of symbols, on the emblem of the UAE. The yellow or gold color of its plumage is associated with the deserts of the region. They occupy a large part of the country, the largest of which is the Rub al-Khali desert.
The falcon itself is a symbol of unity and supreme power in the state. There are exactly seven feathers in the tail of the bird. As many as the stars around the flag. They designate the seven emirates into which the country's territory is divided: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Um al-Kaiwan, Ras al-Khaimah, Fujairah. In each of them there is an absolute monarchy, but among themselves they are united in a federation, headed by the emir of the largest of them - Abu Dhabi.
Quraysh Hawk
A falcon or hawk is considered a traditional symbol of the Arab states and regions. The bird emblem is usually called the Quraish Hawk or Quraish Hawk. It first appeared as a symbol of Syria in 1945. Now the bird is depicted on the emblem of Kuwait, the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. She was also present in the symbols of Libya, the Palestine Liberation Army and the Federation of Arab Republics.
Falcons and hawks are one of the favorite Arabian birds and are associated with dominion and high status. He is also considered a symbol of the Quraishites, the ancient ruling tribe in Mecca, from whose family the prophet Muhammad came. The bird is often contrasted with the eagle of Saladin on the coat of arms of Egypt.