Eagle of Saladin Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Eagle of Saladin

The Eagle of Saladin is a special symbol, like a coat of arms, that looks like an eagle. It is used by several Arab countries, including Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, and Yemen. Since a big change in Egypt in 1952, this eagle has become a very important symbol for Egypt. It also represents a feeling of unity among Arab people, especially in countries that wanted to become more independent starting in the 1950s. This eagle was also a national symbol for countries that no longer exist, like the United Arab Republic and North Yemen.

The Story of the Saladin Eagle
- Where Did the Eagle Come From?
The Eagle's Modern Journey
- A Symbol for New Nations
Where You Can See the Eagle Today
Past Uses of the Saladin Eagle
See also

The Story of the Saladin Eagle

Where Did the Eagle Come From?

Sketch of the "Eagle of Saladin" at the Cairo Citadel in Egypt, as it looked in the late 1800s.

A drawing of a two-headed eagle, like those found on coins from Saladin's brother, al-Adil I.

The famous Cairo Citadel in Egypt was built when a great leader named Saladin was in charge. On one of its walls, there is a large eagle carved into the stone. Many people believe this carving is Saladin's own symbol.

Today, the eagle carving does not have a head. However, long ago, travelers described it as having two heads, bright colors, and even copper tongues! It seems the carving might have been moved to its current spot much later. Interestingly, Saladin's brother, al-Adil I, who became Sultan after him, used a two-headed eagle on his coins. This shows that the eagle was an important symbol for their family.

The Eagle's Modern Journey

Egypt first used the Eagle of Saladin as its national symbol after the big changes in 1952.

The coat of arms of the United Arab Republic showed the modern design of the Republican Eagle.

A Symbol for New Nations

After a major political change in Egypt in 1952, people felt a strong sense of national pride. Later, under the leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, there was a growing feeling of Arab nationalism, which means Arab people wanting to unite. Leaders saw a connection between their efforts to make Arab countries strong and independent, and the actions of Saladin long ago. Saladin, as Egypt's sultan, had brought Arab forces together in the past.

At the same time, Egypt's new government introduced the Arab Liberation Flag. This flag had the colors red, white, black, and green, which represented important historical Arab empires. In the middle of this flag, they placed the golden Eagle of Saladin. From then on, the Eagle of Saladin and the Arab Liberation Flag became powerful symbols for Egypt and for the idea of Arab unity.

In 1958, Egypt and Syria joined together to create the United Arab Republic. The Eagle of Saladin became the symbol for this new union, and the Arab Liberation Flag was used for its flag.

Even though this union ended in 1961 due to a change in government in Syria, the Eagle stayed a strong symbol for people who wanted Arab countries to work together. After the king was no longer in charge in North Yemen in 1962, the Eagle became the national symbol for the new Yemen Arab Republic. South Yemen also adopted it in 1967.

In 1963, after a political change in Iraq, that country also chose the Eagle as its national symbol. The Libyan Arab Republic started using the Eagle in 1969. However, Libya later changed its symbol to the Hawk of Quraish when it joined with Egypt and Syria to form the Federation of Arab Republics in 1972.

The State of Palestine was the most recent to choose the Eagle of Saladin as its symbol. It did this when it declared itself a state in 1988.