Greece Index
Find Places of Interest, Hotels, Apartments, Restaurants, Car Rental and Other Services in Greece
Greece Index
Find Places of Interest, Hotels, Apartments, Restaurants, Car Rental and Other Services in Greece
Greek National Emblem
The National Emblem of the Republic of Greece consists of a blue escutcheon with a white cross in the centre, completely surrounded by two laurel branches.
The emblem is painted or woven, mainly on the hats, uniforms and buttons of the military, the security forces etc.
The Greek National Emblem was provided for by the Temporary Constitution of Greece (Constitution of Epidaurus of 1 January 1822) and established by decree on 15 March of the same year. It was in the form of a blue-and-white circular cockade.
The original Greek National Emblem depicted the goddess Athena and her owl. During the term of office of Capodistrias (the first Prime Minister of Greece), the phoenix, the symbol of rebirth, was added. During the reign of King Otto, the royal coat of arms with two crowned lions bearing the shield with the royal crown, became the national emblem of the state. With the arrival of King George I, the coat of arms was replaced by the Danish version. After Greece became a republic in 1924, the national emblem consisted of a simple white cross on a blue escutcheon. The Danish royal arms returned with the restoration of the monarchy and were used until 1967.