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The flag of Bulgaria consists of three
equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the national emblem
formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has been removed - it contained a
rampant lion within a wreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and
above a ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and
1944 (liberation from Nazi control).
Coat of Arms of Bulgaria
The Coat of Arms of Bulgaria was adopted in 1997. This coat of Arms
was the first used by Bulgaria since Communist rule was ended in that nation in
the early 1990s. Agreeing on the coat of arms was a source of great controversy
in the Bulgarian government as different parties argued over what to put in the
arms.
The emblem has two lions supporting a shield with a lion on it. It is topped
by the crown of Bulgarian king Ivan Asen II. At the bottom of the shield is the
Bulgarian national motto, "Unity Makes Power", in the native language.
The three lions represent the three major portions of Bulgaria - Moesia,
Thrace and Macedonia. The crown on top of the shield, and thus upon the shielded
lion is not that of the last Bulgarian monarchy, but that of the second
Bulgarian monarchy (1185 - 1396). This monarchy, the second Bulgarian empire was
established by the brothers Peter and Asen, after it was freed from Byzantine
control, and before it was subjugated by the Ottomans.
