Egypt's National Emblem: The Golden Eagle of Saladin

National Emblem of Egypt

The national emblem of the Arab Republic of Egypt features the Golden Eagle of Saladin—a symbol of protection, strength, and sovereignty.

Design Elements

• Eagle: Gold-colored, facing left, wings spread.
• Shield: On the eagle's chest, a gold shield with three vertical bands in Egypt's national colors: red, white, and black (from the flag).
• Scroll: The eagle stands on a scroll bearing the country's full official name in Arabic script: Jumhūriyyat Miṣr al-ʿArabiyyah (Arab Republic of Egypt).

The eagle derives from the Ayyubid Sultan Saladin (Salah ad-Din), the 12th-century Muslim leader who recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders. The emblem was adopted in 1984, replacing the previous hawk emblem used since 1952.