Emblem of Uzbekistan

The State Emblem of Uzbekistan was formally adopted on 2 July 1992 by the Government of Uzbekistan. It has many similarities to the emblem used when Uzbekistan was part of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. Even though it is a new design, it keeps some parts from that older emblem.

The emblem shows Uzbekistan’s natural riches. On the left is a cotton plant, which has been very important to the country’s farming and industry since the Soviet era. Uzbekistan was one of the main places that grew cotton for the entire USSR, so cotton is called the white gold. On the right is a wreath of wheat ears, which stands for the country’s wealth and good fortune. Both the cotton and wheat are wrapped in the ribbon of the state flag, showing peace for all the different peoples who live in Uzbekistan.

At the top is a blue star with a white star and crescent inside, a sign of Islam, which most Uzbeks follow. In the middle is a bird called the Huma (or Khumo) with its wings out. This famous bird stands for peace, happiness, and the wish for freedom. Inside the bird’s wings is a picture of the sun rising over mountains, with green fields below. Two rivers, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, flow from the mountains, and soft light shines from the rising sun at the back of the emblem.

The Huma rests on a banner at the bottom, which has the colors of the country and the name Oʻzbekiston written in Latin letters.

History

Before the October Revolution and the Soviet regime, the local khanates and emirates such as the Emirate of Bukhara and the Khanate of Khiva did not use coats of arms like in the West. They used more traditional symbols to represent their rule.

On September 1, 1920, Young Bukharians and Bukharan communists began a revolt in Charjow, supported by the RSFSR, against the emir of Bukhara and his government. By September 14, 1920, they had established a republican form of government, and on October 8, they announced the formation of the Bukharan People's Soviet Republic.

Later, on February 13–15, 1925, the first Uzbek Congress of the Soviets declared the establishment of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. In June 1925, they adopted a resolution about the emblem and flag of the Uzbek SSR. Over the years, the design of the emblem changed with shifts in the writing system of the Uzbek language and political changes within the Soviet Union.

The current state emblem of Uzbekistan was approved on July 2, 1992, by the Supreme Council of Uzbekistan, following the country's independence from the Soviet Union.

The symbolism

In the middle of the emblem is a bird called Khumo with its wings spread. In Uzbek stories, this bird stands for happiness and freedom. A famous Uzbek poet named Alisher Navoi said this bird was the kindest of all living things.

The top part of the emblem shows an eight-sided shape, which stands for the unity of Uzbekistan. Inside this shape are a crescent moon and a star, important symbols from Islam.

The sun in the emblem represents the light that guides Uzbekistan. The green valley shows the beautiful and pleasant weather and land of the country.

Two rivers flow through the valley, representing the Amu-Darya and Syr-Darya rivers that run through Uzbekistan. The wheat ears stand for food and the country's wealth and success. Open cotton boxes show the importance of cotton to Uzbekistan in the past. The wheat, cotton boxes, and ribbons from the country’s flag together symbolise the unity of all people living in Uzbekistan.