Bulgarian Coat of Arms:
Bulgaria
| Copyright 2007 |
The Bulgarian coat of arms that is seen today has only been used since it was adopted in
1997. The coat of arms is actually similar to the coat of arms used by Tsar Ferdinand I when he
ruled Bulgaria many years ago (1887-1918).
1997. The coat of arms is actually similar to the coat of arms used by Tsar Ferdinand I when he
ruled Bulgaria many years ago (1887-1918).
The coat of arms depicts a golden lion on a dark red shield with the historical Bulgarian crown
situated above the shield. Either side of the shield there are golden lions holding the shield up.
Underneath the shield and lions there is a bed of Oak twigs and leaves with a ribbon in the
Bulgarian flag colours and the motto съединението прави силата which translates as “Unity
renders power”.
It is believed that the present day coat of arms is actually a representation of those previously
used by Bulgaria. The first known use of lions on a heraldic coat of arms in Bulgaria is dated
around 1294AD during the time of Tsar Smilets (1292-1298) and there is evidence that during
the time of Tsar Ivan Shishman in the late 14th century, the royal Tsars personal guards carried
round golden shields that had three lions on them.
The reason three lions are used on the coat of arms is unsure but there is a strong belief that it
represents the three major regions of Bulgaria from days gone by. These three regions are
Macedonia (once part of Bulgaria), Moesia (northern Bulgaria and parts of present day Serbia)
and Thrace (Parts of current day Bulgaria).
situated above the shield. Either side of the shield there are golden lions holding the shield up.
Underneath the shield and lions there is a bed of Oak twigs and leaves with a ribbon in the
Bulgarian flag colours and the motto съединението прави силата which translates as “Unity
renders power”.
It is believed that the present day coat of arms is actually a representation of those previously
used by Bulgaria. The first known use of lions on a heraldic coat of arms in Bulgaria is dated
around 1294AD during the time of Tsar Smilets (1292-1298) and there is evidence that during
the time of Tsar Ivan Shishman in the late 14th century, the royal Tsars personal guards carried
round golden shields that had three lions on them.
The reason three lions are used on the coat of arms is unsure but there is a strong belief that it
represents the three major regions of Bulgaria from days gone by. These three regions are
Macedonia (once part of Bulgaria), Moesia (northern Bulgaria and parts of present day Serbia)
and Thrace (Parts of current day Bulgaria).
| :: Bulgarian Coat of Arms :: |
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