By Oula Mahfouz
On July 5, 2025, Syria unveiled its new official coat of arms, which features the state emblem in the form of a golden eagle of the „Eastern Imperial Eagle” species.
This design sparked widespread debate among Syrians, with some expressing approval and enthusiasm, while others criticized it as too simple or inappropriate. There were also accusations that the symbol had been copied from the German federal eagle, the German Football Association, or even an alcohol brand. In light of this debate, this article provides an overview of the use of the eagle symbol throughout history.
The eagle as a symbol in ancient civilizations
Since ancient times, the eagle has been a symbol of divine protection, power, courage, foresight, leadership, and freedom. It was often associated with the gods Baal or Hadad and was used in numerous civilizations.
The oldest depiction of an eagle in Syria
A Syrian-French archaeological mission discovered a rock carving depicting an eagle in front of a cave in the mountains of al-Bilas, east of Hama. It dates back to around the 10th millennium BC.
The Baalshamin Temple in Palmyra
Baalshamin is an ancient Canaanite sky god and one of the most important deities of Palmyra. His symbols include the eagle and lightning. The earliest known mention of this god comes from a treaty between the Hittites and Ugarit around 1350 BC. The oldest Phoenician inscription mentioning Baalshamin is found on a stele from the 10th century BC.
The temple dedicated to the god was built at the end of the 2nd century BC, when Palmyra was under Roman rule, and restored in 131 AD. Above the entrance to the temple was an impressive relief of an eagle with outstretched wings, symbolizing divine power. The temple was destroyed by the terrorist organization ISIS in 2015.
The symbolism of the eagle in ancient empires: Egypt, Anatolia, and Rome
The eagle played a central symbolic role in several early advanced civilizations. In ancient Egypt (from around 3100 BC), the vulture goddess Nekhbet embodied protection and divine authority for the pharaoh.
In Anatolia, in what is now Turkey, the double eagle was already depicted on temple gates in the Hittite culture between 1450 and 1180 BC as a sign of divine power and protection. Finally, in the Roman Empire, the eagle became the official emblem of the legions in 107 BC and stood for military strength and imperial rule.
European empires
The double eagle was used in the Byzantine Empire (330–1453 AD) as a symbol of the emperor who ruled over heaven and earth or over the East and West. In the Holy Roman Empire (962–1806), the double eagle was adopted from Byzantium as a symbol of secular and religious power and used by the German and Austrian emperors.
The eagle in the Islamic world
he eagle was used in art and architecture as a symbol of power and authority, especially during the Umayyad dynasty in Córdoba (756–1031), albeit in a slightly modified form. Under the Ayyubids and later the Mamluks (1171–1517), the „eagle of Saladin” became a symbol of leadership, strength, and unity.
Modern times and the use of the eagle in today’s states
The eagle remains a widespread national symbol. In Russia, the Byzantine double-headed eagle has been part of the state coat of arms since the 15th century. Germany has used the black single-headed eagle since the 19th century – today as the „federal eagle.” In the US, the bald eagle has stood for freedom and independence since 1782. Many other countries, such as Mexico, Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, Poland, and others, also feature the eagle in their coats of arms, each with its own shape and meaning.
The new Syrian coat of arms
In an interview with the Syrian news channel, Waseem Kadoura, head of the team responsible for the new coat of arms, explained that it was the result of the work of a volunteer team of 40 Syrian experts living in more than 30 countries. The team began its work just two weeks after the fall of the regime with the aim of creating a modern coat of arms that embodies Syria’s future.
Kadoura explained: „The design follows a minimalist, modern approach and deliberately avoids traditional oriental ornaments, as featured in the old coat of arms. The aim was to create a symbol that works on all scales – digital and analog – without losing its meaning.”
Kadoura explained the significance of the details:
„The eagle’s two wings consist of 14 feathers, representing the 14 Syrian governorates – the loss of a feather would therefore upset the eagle’s balance, just as the loss of a region would threaten the balance of the country.” The eagle’s tail consists of five feathers representing the five geographical regions of Syria: north, south, east, west, and center. The talons symbolize the three branches of the Syrian armed forces: the army, navy, and air force. „And the stars represent the Syrian people and the new national flag. Their high position in the symbol means that power should serve the people—and not the other way around,” said Kadoura.
The use of the eagle as a symbol has deep historical roots stretching back thousands of years. From Baalshamin in Palmyra to modern state symbols, the eagle stands for continuity, power, and national identity. The debate about the new Syrian coat of arms reflects this rich tradition—the coat of arms is not plagiarism, but part of a cultural heritage that lives on.
Sources and further information
Wikipedia | Temple of Bel
Wikipedia | Double-headed eagle
Wikipedia | Eagle of Saladin
Here is an image of the new coat of arms: Wikipedia | Emblem of Syria
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