emblème

Emblème is a symbol or figure used to represent a person, group, idea, or institution. The term derives from Latin emblema, via French, ultimately from Greek emblema, meaning something stamped or inserted. An emblem is typically a graphic symbol or a brief motto that conveys identity and meaning without words. It is distinct from a logo, which is a deliberately designed mark for branding and recognition, and from a coat of arms, which is a formal heraldic composition that may include a shield, helmet, crest, and motto.

Emblems appear in many contexts. In heraldry they are used as charges—animals, plants, or objects selected for expressed virtues such as courage or fidelity. In modern usage, state, municipal, and organizational emblems are adopted to symbolize authority, history, and values; they may appear on flags, documents, seals, or official buildings. Commercial emblems, often called symbols or marks, identify brands and products.

Design often emphasizes legibility, symbolism, and timelessness. Effective emblems are distinctive at small sizes and work in monochrome, because they appear on coins, stamps, or digital screens.

Historically, emblems have accompanied seals, banners, and coats of arms since antiquity. The concept remains central to heraldry, iconography, and branding, where an emblem can function as a compact representation of identity.