Coat of arms of Jerusalem
The coat of arms of Jerusalem (also contained in the flag of Jerusalem ) shows a blue (partly black) centered soaring lion on a yellowish (gold) background. The background consists of a wall-like pattern. Olive branches can be seen to the left and right, converging in a bunch at the bottom. "Jerusalem" is written above the lion in Hebrew characters . The design of this coat of arms comes from Eliyahu Koren .
meaning
The lion represents the "lion of Judah" ( Gen 49,9 LUT ). Judah, one of the 12 sons of Jacob (= Israel) is considered to be the progenitor of the biblical David , the star of David (Magen David) goes back to the latter . The symbolized wall in the background represents the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the color yellow stands for the Jerusalem Meleke limestone.
The branches on the right and left are olive branches. This cites the national coat of arms of Israel , which is also surrounded by these branches. The olive tree, which is widespread in Israel, forms a traditional livelihood for the residents. Especially through 1st Mos. In 8:11 the olive branch in the dove's beak became a symbol of life and the future, thus of peace and the integrity of creation. The Israeli embassy wrote as a declaration on the national coat of arms: "The [...] surrounding olive branches symbolize the longing of the Jewish people for peace".
use
The coat of arms can be found in all possible functions in the city of Jerusalem, be it in the entrance area to the Knesset or at sights of the city, be it manhole covers with the coat of arms as an inscription or rubbish bins. You cannot avoid the coat of arms in Jerusalem. Once a year (variable, since the Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar) the so-called Jerusalem day takes place. On this day, flags and coats of arms of the city can be seen everywhere in the streets of Jerusalem.
Kingdom of Jerusalem
The coat of arms of the city should not be confused with the coat of arms of the former crusader state Kingdom of Jerusalem (12th / 13th centuries). This shows a yellow (gold) St. George's cross on a white (silver) background with four other St. George's crosses on the corner (see flag of Georgia ), thus clearly showing the Christian meaning of this coat of arms (the type of cross shown here is called the Jerusalem cross ).
In the city of Jerusalem itself, the Jerusalem cross is at least as present as the city's coat of arms. The city's churches in particular like to use this subject, as they were mostly built by the Crusaders. The Jerusalem cross can also be found in the Crusader fortress in Akko . Nowadays it is also a popular symbol on souvenirs (key rings, etc.).
Reception history
The city's coat of arms is not recognized by the Palestinian interim government, because it does not accept Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem .
Individual evidence
- ^ Symbols of statehood. Embassy of the State of Israel in Berlin, accessed on August 9, 2017 .