February 10, 1949: Israel adopts its official emblem
The official Israeli emblem is based on the vision of Prophet Zechariah: "…And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof." (Zechariah 4, 2:3).
The image of the Menorah which is used on the emblem is based on an engraved depiction from the Arch of Titus in Rome, showing the Temple artifacts that were looted and taken by the Romans, with the Menorah among them. The arch was erected in 82 AD; 12 years after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem ended Jewish independence in the Holy Land for the next 1,878 years.
The official emblem of the State of Israel was designed by the studio of Shamir brothers which participated in a design competition, and it was adopted nine months after the state was established. It has since appeared on the Israeli presidential standard and on official Israeli documents and buildings in Israel and worldwide.
