The escutcheon is wholly surrounded by two laurel leaves.
The National Emblem of Greece (Greek: Εθνόσημο της Ελλάδας, Ethnósimo tis Elládas) consists of a blue escutcheon with a white cross totally surrounded by two laurel branches. The emblem is painted or woven, mainly on the hats, uniforms and buttons of the military, the security forces etc.
The first Greek national emblem was provided for by the Constitution of Epidauros of 1 January1822 and was established by decree on 15 March of the same year. It was the shape of a blue and white circular cockade.
Since it was first established the emblem has undergone many changes in shape and in design, mainly due to changes of regime. The original Greek national emblem depicted the goddess Athena and the owl. At the time of Capodistrias, the first Prime Minister of modern Greece, the phoenix, the symbol of rebirth, was added. During the reign of the BavarianKing Otto, the royal coat of arms, with two crowned lions holding the shield with the royal crown, became the national emblem of the country. With the arrival of King George I, the coat of arms was replaced by the Danish-inspired version. After Greece became a republic in 1924 the national emblem consisted of a simple white cross on a blue escutcheon. The royal arms returned with the restoration of the monarchy in 1935 and were used until 1973, when the then-ruling military junta abolished the monarchy. The current design, by the artist Kostas Grammatopoulos, was adopted on 7 June1975, by Law 48 (ΦΕΚ Α΄ 108/7.6.1975).
Historical evolution
The seal of the Greek Provisional Government (1822-1828). It represents the goddess Athena and her symbol, the owl. The legend reads "Provisional Administration of Greece".
The Greater Coat of Arms during the reign of King Otto (1833-1862). It was inspired by the royal Bavarian Coat of Arms.
The Lesser Coat of Arms during the Glücksburg dynasty (1863-1924 and 1935-1973)..
The phoenix with the soldier in front was extensively used as a symbol by the Greek military junta of 1967-1974, and became (minus the soldier) the emblem of the junta-proclaimed Republic in 1973-1974.
The present military form of the coat of arms, as seen on the hats of the Greek Armed Forces.
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