The State Emblem of India, commonly called the national emblem or coat of arms, is the official symbol of the Republic of India. It is a stylized adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka, a polished sandstone sculpture originally erected at Sarnath in the third century BCE. The modern emblem was adopted when India became a republic on 26 January 1950 and is used by the central and state governments as the primary heraldic device.

Characteristics and design

The emblem in its usual two-dimensional form shows four Asiatic lions standing back to back, though only three are visible in frontal depictions; the fourth is concealed from view. The lions surmount a circular abacus that bears a central Dharma Chakra (Ashoka Chakra) — a wheel with spokes — and is flanked in the relief by a bull and a horse. The original Sarnath capital also includes other animal figures on its abacus and lions carved from a single block of polished sandstone.

Symbolism

Each element of the emblem carries symbolic meaning drawn from early Buddhist and Indian traditions. The lions are widely interpreted as symbols of courage, strength and pride. The Dharma Chakra represents law, justice, and the path of righteousness; in practice, the chakra displayed on government emblems is closely associated with the 24-spoked wheel that also appears on the national flag. The bull and horse on the abacus have been read as symbols of fertility, steadfastness and speed or energy, while the lotus that formed the base of the original sculpture evokes purity.

Inscription and motto

Below the pictorial emblem the motto "Satyameva Jayate" is inscribed in Devanagari script. This phrase, meaning "Truth alone triumphs," is taken from an ancient Indian scripture and was chosen for its moral and philosophical resonance. The motto is an integral component of state usage and is typically printed immediately beneath the emblem on official stationery and documents.

History and origin

The source model for the emblem is the Lion Capital erected by Emperor Ashoka at Sarnath, near Varanasi, around the mid-3rd century BCE. The original monument marked an important site in Buddhism and is preserved today as an archaeological artefact. When India framed its republican identity after independence, the Constituent Assembly selected the Lion Capital as a unifying and historically resonant symbol; it was formalized as the State Emblem on 26 January 1950.

The emblem is reproduced on currency notes and coins, passports, official seals and government stationery, and it appears on many public buildings and documents. Its use is regulated: unauthorized or commercial use is restricted to preserve the emblem’s dignity and prevent misuse. Reproductions are usually monochrome line-art for formal printing, though variations in scale and minor stylistic simplifications are common for different applications.

Notable distinctions and facts

  • Although derived from a Buddhist-era sculpture, the emblem functions as a secular state symbol representing the Republic of India rather than any single religion.
  • In two-dimensional renderings three lion heads are visible; the fourth exists in the full three-dimensional original.
  • Replicas and casts of the Sarnath capital are displayed in museums and government precincts; the original is an important archaeological exhibit.
  • For further official information see resources on the Republic of India: official pages.