Adopted 28 May 2008 | Crest Flag of Nepal | |
Armiger Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Escutcheon Mount Everest, White map of Nepal Supporters Garland of Rhododendron Motto जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपी गरीयसी
"Mother and Motherland are greater than Heaven" | ||
The emblem of Nepal was changed during the reconciliation period following the Nepalese Civil War. On 28 May 2008, a new emblem in the style of socialist heraldry was introduced. It contains the flag of Nepal, Mount Everest, green hills symbolising the hilly regions of Nepal and yellow colour symbolising the fertile Terai region, male and female hands joining to symbolise gender equality, and a garland of Rhododendron (the national flower). Atop this is a white silhouette in the shape of Nepal.
Contents
Features
At the base of the design a red scroll carries the national motto in Sanskrit: जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपी गरीयसी (jananī janmabhūmiśca svargādapi garīyasī), which translates as "Mother and Motherland are greater than heaven."
The phrase:
अपि स्वर्णमयी लंका न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते । जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ।।In English:
I care not for Lanka, Lakshmana, even though it be made of gold. One’s mother and one’s native land are worth more even than heaven.It was quoted by Lord Rama when his brother Lakshmana expresses desire to stay back in Lanka. This quote is from Srimad Ramayana. See Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargadapi Gariyasi for more details.
Historical arms
Before 28 May 2008, the modern emblem was preceded by a coat of arms, generally consisting of a white cow, a green pheasant (Himalayan monal), two Gurkha soldiers (one carrying a kukri and a bow, and the other a rifle), peaks of the Himalayas, two crossed Nepalese flags and kukris, the footprints of Gorakhnath (the guardian deity of the Gurkhas) and the royal headress. It also contained the same red scroll with the national motto.