Coat of arms of Jerusalem
Encyclopedia
The emblem of Jerusalem was designed in 1950-51 by Eliyahu Koren, the founding director of the Jewish National Fund
's graphics department and, later, an influential typeface and book designer. The lion, shown rampant
, represents the lion of Judah
, the background represents the Western Wall
, and the olive branch
represents peace. The inscription above the crest is the Hebrew word for Jerusalem (yerushalayim).
Shortly after the founding of the state of Israel
, in 1948, Gershon Agron
asked Eliyahu Koren to commission an emblem for the city of Jerusalem. Agron proposed a design competition among all the graphic designers of the country. The requirements were that the emblem include the Western Wall, the lion, and the olive branch. The competition was held, but in the end only Koren's own design was acceptable to the city committee.
Jewish National Fund
The Jewish National Fund was founded in 1901 to buy and develop land in Ottoman Palestine for Jewish settlement. The JNF is a quasi-governmental, non-profit organisation...
's graphics department and, later, an influential typeface and book designer. The lion, shown rampant
Attitude (heraldry)
In heraldry, an attitude is the position in which an animal, fictional beast, mythical creature, human or human-like being is emblazoned as a charge, supporter or crest. Many attitudes apply only to predatory beasts and are exemplified by the beast most frequently found in heraldry — the lion. ...
, represents the lion of Judah
Lion of Judah
The Lion of Judah was the symbol of the Israelite tribe of Judah in the Book of Genesis of the Hebrew Bible .-Lion of Judah and Judaism:...
, the background represents the Western Wall
Western Wall
The Western Wall, Wailing Wall or Kotel is located in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount...
, and the olive branch
Olive branch
The olive branch in Western culture, derived from the customs of Ancient Greece, symbolizes peace or victory and was worn by brides.-Ancient Greece and Rome:...
represents peace. The inscription above the crest is the Hebrew word for Jerusalem (yerushalayim).
Shortly after the founding of the state of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, in 1948, Gershon Agron
Gershon Agron
Gershon Agron was an Israeli newspaper editor and mayor of Jerusalem in 1955-1959.-Biography:Gershon Agron was born in the Ukraine and emigrated with his family to the United States at the age of five. He grew up in Philadelphia. During World War I, he fought with the Jewish Legion in Palestine...
asked Eliyahu Koren to commission an emblem for the city of Jerusalem. Agron proposed a design competition among all the graphic designers of the country. The requirements were that the emblem include the Western Wall, the lion, and the olive branch. The competition was held, but in the end only Koren's own design was acceptable to the city committee.