Coat of arms of Libya
Encyclopedia
After the collapse of the Gaddafi regime in the 2011 Libyan civil war
, Libya
currently does not have an official coat of arms.
The National Transitional Council
uses a seal or logo to represent itself, but while its Constitutional Declaration
of August 2011 defines the flag of Libya
, it does not make any provisions for a coat of arms.
, supported as the legitimate administration by the United Nations
since September 2011, uses a seal to certify official documents. The emblem depicts a crescent moon and star, represented in the colours of the Libyan flag used by the NTC (red, black, and green), with the names of the council المجلس الوطني الانتقالي (al-majlis al-waṭanī al-intiqālī, "The Transitional National Council") and of the state ليبيا (Lībiyā, Libya) displayed in Arabic and English.
, known as the "Crown of Libya", was used from 1952-1969.
The constitution of the Kingdom of Libya of 1952 in article 7 describes the flag, but not the emblem. No official description is available at present (due to the restrictions placed on government archives since the military coup of 1969), and the design is reconstructed from many variants in shape and color schemes. The design as represented in official government sources of 1952-1969, which describes the emblem, is as follows:
The upward-pointing white crescent and star on black background is taken from the traditional banner of the Senussi
dynasty.
unification plan led Libya to adopt a coat of arms similar to that of Syria (the Hawk of Quraish, or emblem of the tribe of the prophet Muhammad). On Libya's exit from the Federation in 1977 (to become the "Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya"), the coat of arms of the Federation was changed to reflect the new green flag of Libya also adopted at that time, while the hawk was changed to face in the other direction. The phrase اتحاد الجمهوريات العربية (ittiħād al-jumhūriyyāt al-`arabiyya "Federation (literally Union) of Arab Republics") still remained written on the banner clutched in the feet of the hawk.
2011 Libyan civil war
The 2011 Libyan civil war was an armed conflict in the North African state of Libya, fought between forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and those seeking to oust his government. The war was preceded by protests in Benghazi beginning on 15 February 2011, which led to clashes with security...
, Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
currently does not have an official coat of arms.
The National Transitional Council
National Transitional Council
The National Transitional Council of Libya , sometimes known as the Transitional National Council, the Interim National Council, or the Libyan National Council,...
uses a seal or logo to represent itself, but while its Constitutional Declaration
Libyan interim Constitutional Declaration
Libya's National Transitional Council on 3 August 2011 passed a "Constitutional Declaration". The document was publicly announced at a press conference of 10 August by Abdul Hafiz Ghoga, Vice President and official spokesman of the NTC ....
of August 2011 defines the flag of Libya
Flag of Libya
The Libyan Independence Flag or Flag of Libya was the original flag of the Kingdom of Libya introduced in 1951 following the creation of the Libyan state in the post World War II period...
, it does not make any provisions for a coat of arms.
Seal of the National Transitional Council
The National Transitional CouncilNational Transitional Council
The National Transitional Council of Libya , sometimes known as the Transitional National Council, the Interim National Council, or the Libyan National Council,...
, supported as the legitimate administration by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
since September 2011, uses a seal to certify official documents. The emblem depicts a crescent moon and star, represented in the colours of the Libyan flag used by the NTC (red, black, and green), with the names of the council المجلس الوطني الانتقالي (al-majlis al-waṭanī al-intiqālī, "The Transitional National Council") and of the state ليبيا (Lībiyā, Libya) displayed in Arabic and English.
Kingdom of Libya (1951–1969)
The emblem of the Kingdom of LibyaKingdom of Libya
The Kingdom of Libya, originally called the United Libyan Kingdom came into existence upon independence on 24 December 1951 and lasted until a coup d'état led by Muammar Gaddafi on 1 September 1969 overthrew King Idris of Libya and established the Libyan Arab Republic.- Constitution :Under the...
, known as the "Crown of Libya", was used from 1952-1969.
The constitution of the Kingdom of Libya of 1952 in article 7 describes the flag, but not the emblem. No official description is available at present (due to the restrictions placed on government archives since the military coup of 1969), and the design is reconstructed from many variants in shape and color schemes. The design as represented in official government sources of 1952-1969, which describes the emblem, is as follows:
- Upper crown adorned with a white Crescent and five-pointed star at its summit, at which five visible side frames originating from a ring at the base converge. The star studded base and frame contain a velvet black head cover like object.
- The Upper crown is supported at its base by two ornate plantar designs; in the form of three intertwined C and S scroll shapes.
- Two massive “Shoulder” frames contain the body of the crown from the right and left [...]. Each side is a complex formation of intertwined branches in the shape of an S Curve, which is essentially two back-to-back C scrolls; the larger one of which terminates in a large beautiful spiral at the top. [...]
- The background color of the large interior below the upper crown can be white or transparent, although this is not evident in the picture of the Libyan pound. The background color of the center region surrounding the large white crescent and star is black as in the center stripe of the Libyan flag.
- A white ring with thin black borders, surrounds the center large white crescent and star.
- Nine five-pointed white stars surround the center ring.
- Large white crescent.
- Five pointed star located well above the perimeter of the crescent. This differs from the flag, which places the star at the extremities of the crescent.
- A lower crown, seated above the ring containing the central crescent and star. Its design is identical to the upper crown, except for being smaller in size.
- Plantar/ floral ornamentation similar to #2 above, providing variation and connectivity to the base.
- At the base, an ornate design that resembles a document scroll with a ring tie at its center. It is noted that the color scheme of the crown is most likely white for the stars and crescents, black and white (or transparent) for spaces, and gold for the crowns and frames. [...]
The upward-pointing white crescent and star on black background is taken from the traditional banner of the Senussi
Senussi
The Senussi or Sanussi refers to a Muslim political-religious order in Libya and the Sudan region founded in Mecca in 1837 by the Grand Senussi, Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi. Senussi was concerned with both the decline of Islamic thought and spirituality and the weakening of Muslim political...
dynasty.
Libya under Gaddafi
In 1970, Libya adopted a coat of arms similar to that of Egypt (the "Eagle of Saladin"), while in 1972 the Federation of Arab RepublicsFederation of Arab Republics
The Federation of Arab Republics was an abortive attempt by Libya's Muammar Gaddafi to merge Libya, Egypt, and Syria, creating an United Arab state...
unification plan led Libya to adopt a coat of arms similar to that of Syria (the Hawk of Quraish, or emblem of the tribe of the prophet Muhammad). On Libya's exit from the Federation in 1977 (to become the "Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya"), the coat of arms of the Federation was changed to reflect the new green flag of Libya also adopted at that time, while the hawk was changed to face in the other direction. The phrase اتحاد الجمهوريات العربية (ittiħād al-jumhūriyyāt al-`arabiyya "Federation (literally Union) of Arab Republics") still remained written on the banner clutched in the feet of the hawk.
See also
- Flag of LibyaFlag of LibyaThe Libyan Independence Flag or Flag of Libya was the original flag of the Kingdom of Libya introduced in 1951 following the creation of the Libyan state in the post World War II period...
- National Anthem of Libya
- Coat of arms of SyriaCoat of arms of SyriaThe national symbol or coat of arms of Syria includes the Hawk of Qureish, which holds a shield of the national flag , and a scroll with the words "Syrian Arab Republic" ....
(the source of the hawk or falcon of Qureish)