National Badge of Freice
| Emblem of Freice | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Armiger | Country of Freice |
| Adopted | 10 August 2021 |
| Blazon | A shield quartered by a cross azure, first and fourth quarter gules, a sun radiant Or; second and third quarter, four bars four bars azure, vert, orange, argent; and in nombril point a picture of the Neserje na (Ƞe̩serɉe nǡ). |
| Use | The emblem is used on all Acts of the Nuejel; the cover of Freician passports; the obserse of Freician Ǡre̩ coins; government departments; Senior Council. |
The Emblem of Freice (Freician: Ǡrɉưete̩ ġi pưƞqyǡ 'gi frɨs), formally the National Emblem of the Country of Freice (Freician: Ǡrɉưete̩ ġiḡurą ie̩tiaļ ġiḡurą pưƞqyǡ 'gi frɨs) is the national symbol of the Country of Freice, used alongside and in conjunction with the national flag.[1] It was adopted in August 2021 following the 2021 Freician coup d'état, and formalised the following month.[2]
It bears a traditional Freician shield used by warriors during the Qǡba Dance, bearing a blue cross.[3] The first and fourth quadrants of the shield depict a yellow sun on a red background, and the second and third a representation of the ethnic flag of the Freician people. In the centre is a Neserje na flower in yellow. The emblem was designed by Qogrǡ Iɟưe̩gel, based on a design he originally created in 1969.[4]
Description
The emblem takes inspiration from western heraldic practices, with the blazon making use of a shield, albeit a traditional Freician shield in place of a standard three-point one. According to Qogrǡ Iɟưe̩gel, the design incorporates various references to Freician history, identifying three distinct phases in Freician history.[5]
The yellow sun on a red background represents Freice prior to Maricoenian colonisation. Although no national flag was used to represent the island at this time, this design was commonly used as a heraldic banner to represent the island's monarchs. The colour red was also commonly used in the form of a solid-coloured banner to represent nobility and the elite classes.[6] The design was adopted because, according to Iɟưe̩gel, Freice's history prior to colonisation was driven by and primarily recorded through the activities of these classes, who provide the only known glimpse into this pre-colonial period.[7][8] The Freician ethnic is used to represent both the Freician people and the post-independence Freician state, having been used as the interim national flag prior to the adoption of the current flag. The original design was created whilst this initial flag was in use, being retained as an additional reference to the initial political movement from which the colours originated.
The blue cross is a reference to Freician colonisation, dividing the quadrants into the 'past' and the 'present'. The cross itself is a reference to the Maricoenian flag, although the colour symbolises the sea, both the route colonisers took to reach the island and the eventual path of their retreat. The colour also links back to the current flag, having been changed from white to be more closely associated with contemporary Freician symbolism.[9] In the centre is a stylised Neserje an, the national flower of Freice, which represents growth - both in a natural sense and in reference to Freice's growth from colony to nation.
History
The coat of arms replaced the earlier Seal of Freice, which was adopted in 1980. The adoption of new national emblems reflected the adoption of a new political system and political identity for the country.
The design was created by the Common Wealth Party of Freice prior to the coup, and drew on both traditional socialist heraldic designs as well as Freician heraldry. The combination reflected the party's adherence to both socialism and communitarianism, as well as Freician nationalism and, to a lesser extent, traditionalism. The actual designer is unknown.
The coat of arms was adopted by the provisional Nuejel on 21 July 2021 through the Flags and Emblems Act 2021, which abolished the emblem previously in use and provided official recognition of the coat of arms design in law.
Description and symbolism
The coat of arms features a traditional Freician shield traditionally used by tribal warriors in the north and west of the country, containing a blue field on which is placed two shaking hands superimposed over a sun. The hands represent the harmony between the past and the future and the continued respect paid to the past and to Freician customs and traditions alongside the adoption of modern values and technology. The sun represents the climate of Freice and the sun's historic importance in Freician rituals. The field (which is the same colour as the field on the Freician flag) represents the ocean.
The shield is supported by two Freician flags and two Red Flags, highlighting both the national culture and the political culture that is embraced on the island. A green oak wreath wraps around the bottom of the shield, representing peace as the foundation of Freician society, as well as a verbena bonariensis, the national flower of Freice.
See also
References
- ↑ Law on the Establishment of National Symbols. Original available here.
- ↑ Transitional Law on the Reformation of National Symbols. Original available here.
- ↑ Iqe̩, Pe̩gȧ, A. (2007) The National Encyclopedia of Freician History and Culture, 2nd edition. p.39.
- ↑ Qogrǡ Iɟưe̩gel at 70. Taɱą ǡduƞe̩ frɨs, 2000.
- ↑ The National Flag. Visit Freice, 2009.
- ↑ (Flag of) Freice. Flags of the World.
- ↑ Qogrǡ Iɟưe̩gel at 70. Taɱą ǡduƞe̩ frɨs, 2000.
- ↑ How I created my nation's flag. Guri Telegraph, 1987.
- ↑ Why is blue an important colour in Freice? Nashe Guardian, 1996.
