National Emblem of Sri Lanka

The National Emblem of Sri Lanka is the official symbol representing the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. It is used in government and administrative contexts to reflect the country’s culture, history, and values. The emblem is rich in meaning, blending elements from Buddhism, Sinhalese heritage, and national identity.

Symbolism of the Emblem

Lion: At the center of the emblem is a golden lion passant, holding a sword in its right forepaw. This lion symbolizes the Sinhalese ethnicity, representing strength, courage, and sovereignty. The lion is also a key figure on the Sri Lankan flag, and it has in-depth meanings.

Lotus: The lion is surrounded by golden lotus petals, which symbolize enlightenment and purity in Buddhist tradition. While it holds deep significance in Buddhist traditions, it is sometimes mistakenly considered the national flower of Sri Lanka. In reality, the national flower is the Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea Stellata).

Grain Vase and stalks of rice: Below the lion is a traditional grain vase with stalks of rice emerging from it. This symbol represents prosperity, highlighting the importance of agriculture, food security, and abundance in Sri Lankan society.

Dharmachakra: At the top of the emblem is the Dharmachakra (wheel of dharma), a wheel symbolizing the Buddhist path and just rule. It reflects Sri Lanka’s deep connection to Buddhism and its commitment to ethical governance and righteousness.

Sun and Moon: The sun and moon are placed on either side of the emblem. These traditional symbols represent wisdom and enlightenment (sun), and serenity and purity (moon). Together, they also reflect the path to Nirvana, embodying Buddhist ideals.

Historical Evolution of the Emblem

Before the modern emblem, Sri Lanka saw the use of different royal seals and symbols, though records are scarce. Historically, these seals served as important marks of authority for kings and rulers. The history of the emblem of Sri Lanka dates back to the Portuguese period.

Portuguese Influence

The Portuguese ruled most of Sri Lanka’s coastline from 1597 to 1658. During this time, they used a Coat of Arms for the Portuguese Empire, as well as a specific one for Portuguese Ceylon. This emblem featured an elephant in the foreground, surrounded by eight coconut trees and high mountains in the background. Elements of this design were later adopted during the early years of British rule in Ceylon (1796–1875) and also used by the Dominion of Ceylon from 1948 to 1954.

Dutch Influence

The Dutch ruled most of Sri Lanka’s coastal areas from 1640 to 1796. Their Coat of Arms shared similarities with the Portuguese design but featured unique elements. The background included mountains and six coconut trees. In the foreground, an elephant holds a cinnamon branch in its trunk, with three bales of cinnamon in front, reflecting Sri Lanka’s key export. Two small shields hung from the elephant’s tusks, each divided into quarters. One shield displayed the arms of Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, and Mannar, while the other depicted the arms of Trincomalee, Matara, Batticaloa, and Kalpitiya. At the top of the shield, a Dutch crown with a cross was featured.

British Rule

From 1875 to 1948, British Ceylon used its own Coat of Arms. The design featured a lateral view of an elephant in the foreground, with a stupa in the background. The emblem was surrounded by a circular border, decorated with small dots and four corner stars. This coat of arms also appeared on the flag of British Ceylon, where it was positioned on the right side, alongside the Union Jack in the top-left corner.

Independence and Early Emblem (1948–1954)

After gaining independence from Britain, the island became the Dominion of Ceylon. A committee was formed to design a national emblem, and based on its recommendations, the Coat of Arms of Ceylon was adopted in 1954. The emblem featured a gold lion holding a sword in its right forepaw, set against a maroon background. This design was drawn from the Royal Banner of the Kandyan Kingdom and symbolized the Sinhalese ethnic identity. Surrounding the lion were golden lotus petals, reflecting the country’s Buddhist heritage. Above the lion was a crown, known as the Ceylon Crown, inspired by the crown worn by the last king of Kandy. Below the shield was a scroll inscribed with the name “Ceylon” in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. The name “Ceylon” remained the official title of the country until 1972, when the country became a republic and officially changed its name to Sri Lanka.

Transition to Sri Lanka (1972)

In 1972, when the country became a republic and officially changed its name from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, a new national emblem was introduced. The current emblem was designed under the guidance of Nissanka Wijeyeratne, Chairman of the National Emblem and Flag Design Committee, and was created by Venerable Mapalagama Wipulasara Maha Thera. The design was finalized by S. M. Seneviratne, a skilled artist.

The new emblem maintained the lion and lotus petals, but with several modifications, including the addition of the Dharmachakra, grain vase, stalks of rice and symbolic sun and moon.