Emblem of Israel

The emblem of Israel (Hebrew: סֵמֶל מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Sēmel Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl) shows a temple menorah with an olive branch on each side. Below the menorah, the word Israel is written in Hebrew (ישראל). Usually, the emblem is shown in blue and white, but it can have different colors depending on where it is used, like on the Israeli Presidential Standard. The menorah and olive branches have special meanings in Jewish history and culture, making the emblem a proud symbol for the country.

History

The State of Israel chose its emblem after a design contest in 1948. The chosen design was created by Gabriel and Maxim Shamir, with ideas from other artists like Oteh Walisch, W. Struski, Itamar David, Yerachmiel Schechter, and Willie Wind. The emblem became official on February 10, 1949.

Symbolism

The emblem of Israel shows a menorah, which was used in ancient times and is a symbol of Judaism. The menorah stands for light and enlightenment. It is flanked by two olive branches, which represent peace and prosperity. This design is inspired by the menorah shown on the Arch of Titus and reflects the idea of restoring Jewish sovereignty. The vision of the prophet Zechariah, who saw a menorah with olive trees on each side, may also have influenced the emblem's design.

Usage

The emblem of Israel is used in many important places. You can see it on the Standard of the president of Israel, on the Seal of Mossad which shows the Menorah, and on the Israeli passport. It also appears on special stamps, like the Independence Day stamp from 1955, and on flags and banners during celebrations such as Israel Independence Day in 2007.