A Sceptre For Kings

Moving back to the Old World, we find the coat of arms of France to be changed. Under the First and Second Republics the coat of arms of France included an eagle as the central feature. The palm plays an important part in the lives of Liherians, and appears on thei r emblem, as does a dove. the eagle, in upward flight, as symbolic of his soaring career.

The official seal of the Third Republic presents a seated woman holding in her right hand the fasces, symbol of power. At her feet is a sheaf of wheat, together with other emblems of industry. The coat of arms of France has gone through more transformations than, perhaps, that of anv other country. Tbe conventional fleur-de-lys has long been associated with the monarchs of France and did not disappear from the flag until the downfall of Louis Philippe in 1848. According to legend, St. Denis personally bestowed the lily upon the royal family as a heraldic device. At the coronation of a king it was customary for the Franks to elevate him upon a shield, and to place in bis hand an iris instead of a sceptre. Certain kings bad their own personal emblems, such as the salamander of Francis I, rising unscathed from the midst of flames; and the all-over design of dolphins, surrounding the coat of arms of Henry IV. The fleur-de-lys was used centuries before the days of Frankish supremacy, as indicated by ancient carvings and decorations in Egypt. India and Etruria.

The official emblem of Syria consists of an eagle that bears on its breast a typical Arab shield, emblazoned with three stars, representing Damascus, Aleppo, and Deir ez Zor. The legs of tbe eagle suggest those of a horse, since Syria is noted for its fine Arab horses. Two heads of wheat are introduced because of Syria's importance as an agricultural country. To the people of Lebanon, the cedar, which figures prominently on tile flag and coat of arms, stands for long life, holiness and endurance. During the Middle Ages' people made pilgrimages to the Cedars of Lebanon, which flourished in abundance on the sides of Mount Lebanon. Some of the trees were believed to have been planted by King Solomon himself. Tbe once magnificent grove is now only a speck on the mountain side.

In 1943 the Republic of Lebanon sent to the United States as a good-will offering twelve living cedars to be planted in Arlington National Cemetery overlooking Washington. These trees were carefully selected from sections of Lebanon where altitude and climate are similar to those of Washington, D. C., rather than from higher altitudes. Cedars from Mount Lebanon were introduced into England about 1650. Some of them are said to be 3500 years old. The official seal of the Negro Republic of Liberia shows a dove on the W'lng, carrying an open scroll in its beak.

By: davidbunch

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Other articles: Massage Parlor Reviews Telephone sales skills Career search engines