Royal Arms of Cambodia

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The royal coat of arms of the Kingdom of Cambodia are the symbol of the Cambodian monarchy. They have existed in some form close to the one depicted since the establishment of the independent Kingdom of Cambodia in 1953. It is the symbol on the Royal Standard of the reigning monarch of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni (ascended 2004).

[edit] Description

Depicted on the coat of arms are two mythical animals which are a gajasimha on the left, a lion with an elephant trunk, and a singha, a lion, on the right. Supported by the animals, are two five-tiered parasols. In between is a royal crown with a ray of light at its top. Beneath the crown are two pedestaled platters layered on top of each other with a sacred sword and a Khmer version of the symbol for Aum sitting on top. The Khmer language phrase on the bottom the royal coat of arms translates to: preah'jao (royal or auspicious ruler) - krung (area, or in this case, kingdom) - Kampuchea (Cambodia), thus, the Kingdom of Cambodia.

[edit] History

The arms were discontinued with the overthow of the monarchy during the Khmer Republic era (1970-1975) and remained in disuse during Democratic Kampuchea (i.e., Khmer Rouge era: 1975-1979), the People's Republic of Kampuchea (1979-1989), and the State of Cambodia (1989-1993). They have since been resurrected for official use with the restoration of the monarchy under Norodom Sihanouk in Cambodia in 1993.