Coat of arms of Sri Lanka
Encyclopedia
The national emblem of Sri Lanka
is used by the Sri Lankan Government in connection with the administration and government of the country. The current emblem has been in use since 1972.
The emblem features a gold lion passant, holding a sword in its right fore paw (the same lion from the flag of Sri Lanka
) in the centre on a maroon background surrounded by golden petals of a Blue Lotus
the national flower of the country. This is placed on top of a traditional grain vase that sprouts sheaves of rice grains
that circle the border reflecting prosperity.
The crest
is the Dharmacakra
, symbolizing the country's foremost place for Buddhism
and just rule. Traditional Sinhalese heraldic symbols for the sun and the moon form the supporters
.
Design: It has an Elephant in the foreground with palm trees around it and high mountains in the background.
Design: The arms is very similar to the previous Portuguese one with a modified design. It show the geography of the island with mountains and palm trees, with an elephant and cinnamon bales, and two small shields. The elephant is used because it is an animal used for work on the island and it symbolises strength. In front of the elephant are three bales of cinnamon, used for it was the main export product at the time, and the elephant holds a cinnamon branch in its trunk.
Design: This contained a Sri Lankan Elephant
and Coconut trees and later a stupa
.
as a dominion
in 1948, the need of a new national emblem arose. A committee was named in order to create a national emblem. According to its recommendation a national emblem was adopted in 1952. The island had been a British Crown Colony since 1802.
Design: The emblem was not strictly in the heraldic tradition, however was granted by the College of Arms in 1954. It was derived from the Royal Banner of the Kandyan Kingdom. It largely reflected the Buddhist traditions of the Sinhalese people
. At its center had a disk with a gold lion passant holding a sword (here called the Ceylon lion) in its right fore paw, on a maroon background, was taken from the Royal Banner of the Kandyan Kingdom. Around it were the golden petals of a water lily and topped with the crown ensigning the roundel is called the Ceylon crown; it follows the design of the crown worn by the kings of Kandy. The crown apparently symbolised Queen Elizabeth as Head of State of Ceylon, and it disappeared from the country's arms after change of status to a republic.
. At the time, he was Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Chairman of the National Emblem and Flag Design Committee. The designer of the emblem was Venerable
Mapalagama Wipulasara Maha Thera
.
Design: The emblem features a gold lion passant, holding a sword in its right fore paw (the same lion from the flag of Sri Lanka
) in the centre on a maroon background surrounded by golden petals of a Blue Lotus
the national flower of the country. This is placed on top of a traditional grain vase that sprouts sheaves of rice grains
that circle the border reflecting prosperity.
The crest
is the Dharmacakra
, symbolizing the country's foremost place for Buddhism
and just rule. Traditional Sinhalese heraldic symbols for the sun and the moon form the supporters
.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
is used by the Sri Lankan Government in connection with the administration and government of the country. The current emblem has been in use since 1972.
The emblem features a gold lion passant, holding a sword in its right fore paw (the same lion from the flag of Sri Lanka
Flag of Sri Lanka
The flag of Sri Lanka, also called the Lion Flag, consists of a gold lion, holding a kastane sword in its right fore paw, in front of a crimson background with four golden bo leaves, one in each corner. Around the background is a yellow border, and to its left are 2 vertical stripes of equal size...
) in the centre on a maroon background surrounded by golden petals of a Blue Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
Nelumbo nucifera, known by a number of names including Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Bean of India, or simply Lotus, is a plant in the monogeneric family Nelumbonaceae...
the national flower of the country. This is placed on top of a traditional grain vase that sprouts sheaves of rice grains
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
that circle the border reflecting prosperity.
The crest
Crest (heraldry)
A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
is the Dharmacakra
Dharmacakra
The Dharmachakra , lit. "Wheel of Dharma" or "Wheel of Life" is a symbol that has represented dharma, the Buddha's teaching of the path to enlightenment, since the early period of Indian Buddhism. A similar symbol is also in use in Jainism...
, symbolizing the country's foremost place for Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
and just rule. Traditional Sinhalese heraldic symbols for the sun and the moon form the supporters
Supporters
In heraldry, supporters are figures usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up. These figures may be real or imaginary animals, human figures, and in rare cases plants or inanimate objects...
.
Portuguese period in Ceylon
The Portuguese had a coat of arms for their occupied territory in Sri Lanka, around 1505–1658.Design: It has an Elephant in the foreground with palm trees around it and high mountains in the background.
Dutch period in Ceylon
It is not known when the coat of arms for the Dutch occupied territory of Sri Lanka was adopted. The coat of arms is from a manuscript dating from 1717 to 1720.Design: The arms is very similar to the previous Portuguese one with a modified design. It show the geography of the island with mountains and palm trees, with an elephant and cinnamon bales, and two small shields. The elephant is used because it is an animal used for work on the island and it symbolises strength. In front of the elephant are three bales of cinnamon, used for it was the main export product at the time, and the elephant holds a cinnamon branch in its trunk.
British Ceylon
Before independence, Ceylon used the coat of arms of the United Kingdom as the imperial emblem and a unique shield for the colony.Design: This contained a Sri Lankan Elephant
Sri Lankan Elephant
The Sri Lankan Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian Elephant, and native to Sri Lanka. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years...
and Coconut trees and later a stupa
Stupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship....
.
Dominion of Ceylon
When Ceylon was granted independence from BritainUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as a dominion
Dominion of Ceylon
The Dominion of Ceylon, known today as Sri Lanka, was a dominion, in the British Empire between 1948 and 1972. In 1948, British Ceylon was granted independence as the Dominion of Ceylon. In 1972, the Dominion of Ceylon became a republic within the Commonwealth, and its name was changed to Sri Lanka...
in 1948, the need of a new national emblem arose. A committee was named in order to create a national emblem. According to its recommendation a national emblem was adopted in 1952. The island had been a British Crown Colony since 1802.
Design: The emblem was not strictly in the heraldic tradition, however was granted by the College of Arms in 1954. It was derived from the Royal Banner of the Kandyan Kingdom. It largely reflected the Buddhist traditions of the Sinhalese people
Sinhalese people
The Sinhalese are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group,forming the majority of Sri Lanka,constituting 74% of the Sri Lankan population.They number approximately 15 million worldwide.The Sinhalese identity is based on language, heritage and religion. The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language and the...
. At its center had a disk with a gold lion passant holding a sword (here called the Ceylon lion) in its right fore paw, on a maroon background, was taken from the Royal Banner of the Kandyan Kingdom. Around it were the golden petals of a water lily and topped with the crown ensigning the roundel is called the Ceylon crown; it follows the design of the crown worn by the kings of Kandy. The crown apparently symbolised Queen Elizabeth as Head of State of Ceylon, and it disappeared from the country's arms after change of status to a republic.
Sri Lanka
The present emblem of was created in 1972 with the ideas and guidance of Nissanka WijeyeratneNissanka Wijeyeratne
Deshamanya Nissanka Parakrama Wijeyeratne was a Sri Lankan politician, civil servant and diplomat. He was also the Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of the Tooth from 1975 to 1985...
. At the time, he was Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Chairman of the National Emblem and Flag Design Committee. The designer of the emblem was Venerable
Venerable
The Venerable is used as a style or epithet in several Christian churches. It is also the common English-language translation of a number of Buddhist titles.-Roman Catholic:...
Mapalagama Wipulasara Maha Thera
Mapalagama Wipulasara Maha Thera
Venerable Mapalagama Wipulasara Maha Thera was a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka. He was also an artist and sculptor who has gained fame through his sculptures of Buddha statues that are worshiped in many places within Sri Lanka and abroad...
.
Design: The emblem features a gold lion passant, holding a sword in its right fore paw (the same lion from the flag of Sri Lanka
Flag of Sri Lanka
The flag of Sri Lanka, also called the Lion Flag, consists of a gold lion, holding a kastane sword in its right fore paw, in front of a crimson background with four golden bo leaves, one in each corner. Around the background is a yellow border, and to its left are 2 vertical stripes of equal size...
) in the centre on a maroon background surrounded by golden petals of a Blue Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
Nelumbo nucifera, known by a number of names including Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Bean of India, or simply Lotus, is a plant in the monogeneric family Nelumbonaceae...
the national flower of the country. This is placed on top of a traditional grain vase that sprouts sheaves of rice grains
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
that circle the border reflecting prosperity.
The crest
Crest (heraldry)
A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
is the Dharmacakra
Dharmacakra
The Dharmachakra , lit. "Wheel of Dharma" or "Wheel of Life" is a symbol that has represented dharma, the Buddha's teaching of the path to enlightenment, since the early period of Indian Buddhism. A similar symbol is also in use in Jainism...
, symbolizing the country's foremost place for Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
and just rule. Traditional Sinhalese heraldic symbols for the sun and the moon form the supporters
Supporters
In heraldry, supporters are figures usually placed on either side of the shield and depicted holding it up. These figures may be real or imaginary animals, human figures, and in rare cases plants or inanimate objects...
.
Historical coats of arms
| Coat of Arms of Sri Lanka | Description | Dates Used |
|---|---|---|
 |
Coat of arms of the Portuguese period in Ceylon Portuguese period in Ceylon Portuguese Ceylon was a Portuguese territory in present-day Sri Lanka, representing a period in Sri Lankan history from 1505–1658. The Portuguese first encountered the Ceylonese kingdom of Kotte, with whom they signed a treaty. Portuguese Ceylon was established through the occupation of Kotte and... . |
around 1505–1658 |
| Coat of arms of the Dutch period in Ceylon Dutch period in Ceylon Ceylon was a governorate of the Dutch East India Company between 1658 and 1798 on the island currently known as Sri Lanka.In the early 17th century, Sri Lanka was partly ruled by the Portuguese and the Sinhala kingdom, who were constantly battling each other... . |
1602–1796 | |
 |
Arms used in the early stages of British Ceylon British Ceylon British Ceylon refers to British rule prior to 1948 of the island territory now known as Sri Lanka.-From the Dutch to the British:Before the beginning of the Dutch governance, the island of Ceylon was divided between the Portuguese Empire and the Kingdom of Kandy, who were in the midst of a war for... . |
|
| Arms used in the later stages of British Ceylon British Ceylon British Ceylon refers to British rule prior to 1948 of the island territory now known as Sri Lanka.-From the Dutch to the British:Before the beginning of the Dutch governance, the island of Ceylon was divided between the Portuguese Empire and the Kingdom of Kandy, who were in the midst of a war for... . |
1875–1948 | |
| No Coat of arms | The Dominion of Ceylon Dominion of Ceylon The Dominion of Ceylon, known today as Sri Lanka, was a dominion, in the British Empire between 1948 and 1972. In 1948, British Ceylon was granted independence as the Dominion of Ceylon. In 1972, the Dominion of Ceylon became a republic within the Commonwealth, and its name was changed to Sri Lanka... . |
1948–1952 |
 |
Emblem of the Dominion of Ceylon Dominion of Ceylon The Dominion of Ceylon, known today as Sri Lanka, was a dominion, in the British Empire between 1948 and 1972. In 1948, British Ceylon was granted independence as the Dominion of Ceylon. In 1972, the Dominion of Ceylon became a republic within the Commonwealth, and its name was changed to Sri Lanka... . |
1952–1972 |
See also
- Emblem of Mongolia, which also features the Dharmachakra
- Flag of Sri LankaFlag of Sri LankaThe flag of Sri Lanka, also called the Lion Flag, consists of a gold lion, holding a kastane sword in its right fore paw, in front of a crimson background with four golden bo leaves, one in each corner. Around the background is a yellow border, and to its left are 2 vertical stripes of equal size...
- Sri Lanka MathaSri Lanka MathaSri Lanka Matha is the national anthem of Sri Lanka. The words and music, written by Ananda Samarakoon in 1940, were officially adopted as the national anthem in 1951.-History:...
, national anthem of Sri Lanka