Coat of arms of Mongolia

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Coat of arms of Mongolia (since 1992)
Coat of arms of Mongolia (since 1992)

The official coat of arms of Mongolia (Mongolian: Монгол улсын төрийн сүлд, Mongol ulsyn töriin süld) was adopted in 1992 following the fall of the communist government. The outer rim features a tumen nusan, symbolizing eternity, surrounding a circular blue field, symbolizing the sky. On the centre of the field is a combination of the soyombo and the wind horse (treasured steed), symbolizing Mongolia's independence, sovereignty, and spirit. Above the field is a chandmani, the Buddhist Three Jewels symbol, which in Mongolian folklore grants wishes, and symbolizes past, present, and future. Below the central emblem is a green mountain range, with the wheel of destiny at the center. On the bottom of the mountain range and wheel is a khadag, a ceremonial scarf.

[edit] Historical coats of arms

From 1960 to 1991, the Mongolian People's Republic used a coat of arms with a very similar shape, but several differing elements. Instead of the Wind Horse, a horseman on a normal horse is shown. In the background, the sun rises above mountains. The Buddhist symbols are replaced by symbols of Socialism. A gearwheel stands for industrialization, sheaves around the perimeter stand for the farming class, and the top featured a red star with the socialist version of the Soyombo. Along the bottom, a blue-red ribbon is placed in front of the gearwheel, with the letters БНМАУ, the abbreviation for Бүгд Найрамдах Монгол Ард Улс, (Mongolian People's Republic).

Before 1961, the coat of arms did not bear most of the socialist symbols. The horseman carried a long lasso pole, and the heads of four types of herd animals were shown on the sides. A red ribbon at the bottom bore the name of the country in the traditional Mongolian alphabet between 1940 and 1941, and the Cyrillic abbreviation after that.

[edit] See also