The Soyombo symbol is a special character out of the Mongolian Soyombo script

Soyombo script

The Soyombo script is an abugida developed by the Mongolian monk and scholar Bogdo Zanabazar in 1686 to write Mongolian.It can also be used to write Tibetan and Sanskrit....

. It serves as a national symbol of Mongolia

Mongolia

Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...

, to be found on the Flag of Mongolia

Flag of Mongolia

The current flag of Mongolia was adopted on February 12, 1992. It is similar to the flag of 1949, except for the removal of the socialist star....

, the Coat of arms of Mongolia

Coat of arms of Mongolia

The state emblem of Mongolia is used by the government of Mongolia as its symbol of state. It is officially used for example on documents such as Mongolian passports, and government and embassy placards.- Description :...

, and on many other official documents.

The elements in the symbol are given the following significance (from top):

• Fire is a general symbol of eternal growth, wealth, and success. The three tongues of the flame represent the past, present, and future.
• Sun and moon symbolise that the Mongolian nation will exist for eternity as the eternal blue sky.
• The two triangles allude to the point of an arrow or spear. They point downward to announce the defeat of interior and exterior enemies.
• The two horizontal rectangles give stability to the round shape. The rectangular shape represents the honesty and justice of the people of Mongolia, whether they stand at the top or at the bottom of society.
• The arga-bilge (Yin-yang) symbol illustrates the mutual complement of man and woman. In socialist times, it was alternatively interpreted as two fish symbolizing vigilance, because fish never close their eyes.
• The two vertical rectangles can be interpreted as the walls of a fort. They represent unity and strength, relating to a Mongolian proverb: "The friendship of two is stronger than stone walls."

Uses

The Soyombo symbol has appeared on the national Flag of Mongolia

Flag of Mongolia

The current flag of Mongolia was adopted on February 12, 1992. It is similar to the flag of 1949, except for the removal of the socialist star....

 since 1911 (except between 1921 and 1924). It served as Coat of arms of Mongolia

Coat of arms of Mongolia

The state emblem of Mongolia is used by the government of Mongolia as its symbol of state. It is officially used for example on documents such as Mongolian passports, and government and embassy placards.- Description :...

 from 1924 to 1940, and was included in the design again in 1992.

The symbol is seen all over the country, especially on a hillside outside of Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar

Ulan Bator or Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. An independent municipality, the city is not part of any province, and its population as of 2008 is over one million....

.

The flag and coat of arms of the Buryat Republic as well as the flag

Flag of Agin-Buryat Okrug

The flag of Agin-Buryat Okrug, in the Russian Federation, is a vertical tricolour of blue, yellow and white. The flag is charged with a yellow partial Soyombo symbol at the upper end of the blue band. The Soyombo is a cultural symbol of the Mongol people and is also present on the flags of...

 of the Agin-Buryat Okrug in Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

, and that of the Inner Mongolian People's Party

Inner Mongolian People's Party

The Inner Mongolian People's Party, or IMPP is an Inner Mongolian secessionist movement. The party was started in 1997 in Princeton, New Jersey...

 display the top elements (Flame, Sun, and Moon).

See also

• Coat of arms of Mongolia
  Coat of arms of Mongolia
  The state emblem of Mongolia is used by the government of Mongolia as its symbol of state. It is officially used for example on documents such as Mongolian passports, and government and embassy placards.- Description :...
  
  
• National Anthem of Mongolia
• Flag of Mongolia
  Flag of Mongolia
  The current flag of Mongolia was adopted on February 12, 1992. It is similar to the flag of 1949, except for the removal of the socialist star....