The RA Ministry of Defense considered the former symbol of the army “lifeless” and contrary to the essence of the army

There were a number of heraldic, morphological, and ideological defects in the previous coat of arms. This was announced by the Ministry of Defense, justifying why they changed the emblem of the army.

“The former coat of arms of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, approved in 2001, had a number of heraldic, morphological, and ideological flaws, so in the context of the transformation of the army, the process of revising the coat of arms was also initiated. The main character of the former coat of arms, the eagle, has significant heraldic and aesthetic flaws. The eagle is depicted with a closed beak. In heraldry, a closed beak is considered a calm, non-combat state, and is often perceived as a lifeless figure, which contradicts the essence of the army. The main body of the eagle, the torso, is missing, it is molded into the general surface, creating an eagle-like image assembled only from feathers. The eagle’s limbs, claws, weapon are missing. this creates the appearance of a mutilated, powerless, vulnerable being, which is unacceptable for an army symbol.

The central figure of the new coat of arms, the eagle, has been reinterpreted, depicted fully alive and fully embodied. The head, body, wings and claws are clearly visible, overcoming the omissions of the previous coat of arms. The eagle’s beak is open, which in heraldry symbolizes vitality, readiness, vigilance, the right to speech and power, the clear and dynamic posture of the eagle directly symbolizes the alertness and fighting spirit of the Army of the Republic of Armenia, it embodies the army’s mission to protect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia,” the statement said.

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