State of Qatar gets new emblem

HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior unveiled the new national emblem of the State of Qatar at the National Museum of Qatar on September 15, 2022. 

The new emblem features the historical Qatari symbols - the founder's sword, palm trees, sea and the traditional boat. All the historical symbols are in a maroon colour against a white backdrop. The emblem symbolises the country’s rich culture, preserving its heritage and bright future.

According to The Peninsula, the Director of the Government Communications Office, Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, affirmed that clarity in the message and visual identity is key to effective communication. He stated: "One of our primary objectives is to organise communication operations for various government agencies, but this cannot be accomplished without a truly effective communication system.” 

According to Gulf Times, Dr Mohamed Nuaimi a-Hajri, official spokesperson of the GCO, added: "The new Lusail font is distinguished by its historical significance, as it is derived from the original manuscripts written by the founder of Qatar, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, may God rest his soul. In parallel, the English font was inspired by Arabic calligraphy and hand movements."

The Government Communications Office published a video explaining the journey of the national emblem of the State of Qatar from 1966 to the present one on its Twitter account. 

Our culture, our past, our present, and our future are elements that have merged in the new national emblem of the State of #Qatar, creating an image that combines culture and deeply rooted traditions with an eye toward the future.#QatarNationalEmblem pic.twitter.com/2KcuNWVFIv

— مكتب الاتصال الحكومي (@GCOQatar) September 15, 2022

The Jalboot

The Jalboot is the symbol of Qatari pride. The first traditional motor-powered boat, built in 1900 in Qatar, was owned by Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani and was called ‘Fath Al-Khair’. It was used in pearl diving, fishing and trade. It played a key role in the Qatari economy as pearl-making was the major source of income in the country. The triangular sail symbolises the flag of the State of Qatar fluttering freely in the sea.

The Palm Trees

The palm trees used in the previous logo have been retained in the new emblem. It is inspired by the palm tree plantation located on the farm of the Grandfather Amir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, at Al Ashra. These trees symbolise bountifulness and generosity.

The Sword

The Founder’s sword is a symbol for Qataris to cherish and be proud of. It symbolises courage and strength associated with the wisdom of its owner. It is one of the most prominent pillars used in the state emblem. It was used to protect the land and honour. 

The Sea

The country’s history is tied to the sea and so it is one of the most prominent symbols of Qatari heritage where Qatar once found its wealth and livelihood. It was from the sea the State of Qatar build its economy in the past through the oldest customs like sailing, fishing and pearl diving. The waves have been drawn using the nine-pointed, serrated edges of the flag of Qatar, which also depicts the power of the sea. As a peninsula, the State of Qatar is surrounded by water on three sides, which also shows the importance of the sea in the economic development of the nation, which is represented by three lines of waves in the emblem.

The ‘Lusail’ font

A modern script called ‘Lusail’ was created based on the original manuscripts written by the founder Sheikh Jassim bin Muhammad bin Thani. English calligraphy is also inspired by Arabic calligraphy and hand movements. This font is known as ‘Lusail’, as the founder ran the country's affairs from Lusail and took residence there from the end of the 19th century until his death.

La Peregrina: The pearl owned by Mary I of England, Napoleon’s brother, and Elizabeth Taylor

One of the most famous pearls in the world is La Peregrina. It entered historical annals in the 16th century, when the Hapsburgs’ dominions were endless–“the empire on which the sun never set”–and remained in the hands of the Spanish monarchy until a Bonaparte took possession in the 19th century.

The pearl was found on the coast of the isle of Santa Margarita in Panama. One story has it that an African slave found the jewel and received his freedom as a reward. But others believe that the pearl was found in 1513, when there were not yet African slaves on the island. The dreadful history of slavery in the “New World” was then in its earliest days.

Mary I of England with the pearl. Portrait by Antonis Mor.

Whomever found the pearl then gave it to Don Pedro de Temez, the administrator of the Spanish colony.  The pearl’s name, translated, means “the Wanderer” or “the Pilgrim.” The first place it wandered to was Europe, where the complicated relationship between England and Spain played out.

Suttons & Robertsons @SandR_UK

Elizabeth Taylor misplaced La Peregrina #pearl #necklace in a Las Vegas hotel, only to find it in her dog's mouth!

11:00 AM - Jul 21, 2015

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Its original weight was 223.8 grains (55.95 karats/ 11.2g), and at that time was recognized as La Peregrina was the largest pearl ever found. La Peregrina became smaller in 1913 when it had to be cleaned and drilled but it remains one of the most perfectly symmetrical pearls in the world.

Elizabeth of France with pearls.

Temez carried the pearl back to Europe and gave it to Prince Philip, son of the Hapsburg emperor, Charles V. When Philip, later King of Spain, made a dynastic marriage with his second-cousin, Queen Mary of England, he gave it to her as a present. Mary, madly in love with her 11 years’ younger husband, wore it as a pendant to a brooch. The most famous portrait of her with the pearls can be seen in the Prado Museum in Madrid, made by Antonis Mor. There are other portraits of Mary I by various artists, one of which can be seen in the National Portrait Gallery in London, by Hans Eworth.

AceJewelleryLeeds @AceJewelleryUK

A gift from Burton to Taylor but La Peregrina pearl has an even more fascinating past http://buff.ly/1txSqQt  #kprs

4:10 PM - Jun 16, 2016

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When Mary died, her half-sister, Elizabeth I, succeeded. She did not honor all of her sister’s requests made in the will, but Elizabeth did return the pearl to the Spanish Crown. Years later, of course, Philip sent the Spanish Armada to topple his onetime sister-in-law. The fourth and last of his wives, who presumably wore the pearl, was Philip’s niece, Anna of Austria, 23 years younger than him.

History Gal @HistoryGal_

#THA La Peregrina Pearl belonging to Mary I (it also once belonged to actress Elizabeth Taylor).

4:44 PM - Jul 28, 2016

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La Peregrina remained in Spain as part of the crown jewels for 250 years. It was worn by several queens as a favorite ornament. The wife of Philip III, Margaret of Austria, wore the pearl in 1605, at a celebration of the peace between England and Spain. Portraits by Diego Velazques show the pearl also being worn by Elizabeth of France and later, Mariana of Austria, the first and second wives of Philip IV.

Portrait of Margaret of Austria with the Pearl, 1606.

In 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother Joseph was installed as king of Spain. He ruled, all the time very unpopular, for five years until the French-led forces were defeated by the English-led coalition at the Battle of Vitoria. When he abdicated and left the kingdom, Joseph took some of the crown jewels with him, including the pearl. Later, Joseph left it to the future Napoleon III of France, who was his nephew. During the time that Napoleon III, in poor health and driven out of France, lived in England, he needed money and sold the jewel to James Hamilton, Duke of Abercorn.

Victoria Keir @victoria_keir67

Liz wearing "La peregrina pearl in the necklace designed for it, by "Cartier" wow ! ;)

10:47 PM - Jun 21, 2016

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It is said that the pearl was so heavy in the necklace it was set in that it fell out of that setting on two different occasions. The first time, it was lost in Windsor Castle, and the second time at Buckingham Palace during a ball. Until 1969, the Hamilton family owned the pearl, but it was that year that they sold it at auction in London. It was bought by Richard Burton for $37, 000 at the Sotheby’s auction as a gift for his wife Elizabeth Taylor for Valentine’s Day. The Burtons were famously obsessed with jewels and the bigger, the better.

Elizabeth Taylor

Later, Taylor gave the pearl to Cartier to re-design it, and the jeweler added diamonds, pearls, and rubies. Also, Taylor reportedly lent the pearl to the Smithsonian Institution for its “the Allure of Pearls” exhibition.In 2011, La Peregrina was sold for more than $11 million on the diamond necklace made by Cartier. It was on auction at Christie’s in New York as part of Elizabeth Taylor’s collection after her death.

Unsubstantiated claims have been made about a second large treasure, the Pearl of Kuwait, as being the real Mary Tudor Pearl. It is bigger by a small degree than La Peregrina and is now owned by the Jewellers Symbolic & Chase. Supposedly the pearl was first worn by Emperor Charles V’s wife, Isabella, who was the mother of Philip II, and it made its way to Mary I of England that way. The truth of the pearls may never be fully entangled.

(Source: The Vintage News)