National Day Supplement 2014 December 2014 | Page 7

43rd National Day

THE UAE NATIONAL SYMBOLS…

T

he United Arab Emirates has
several
national
symbols
that are intricately tied to the
country’s rich history, culture
and traditions. As the UAE celebrates
another year of remarkable growth
facilitated by its leaders and achieved
by both locals and expatriates, we
take a look at the national symbols and
what they mean.

The Flag
The UAE flag is a national symbol for
the seven emirates. The colours red,
green, black and white are Pan-Arab
colours that represent the unity among
the emirates. White represents peace,
honesty and purity, green is for hope,
love, prosperity and success, red is for
sacrifice, bravery, strength and power
and black represents dignity, authority
and strength of mind.

The Dallah Coffee Pot
Many expatriates have come to enjoy
the unique taste of Arabic coffee,
which is widely served in both social
and business settings. Arabic coffee
is served from the dallah coffee pot,
which is considered to be a strong
symbol of local hospitality.
This well-known traditional coffee pot is
a metal pot that has a long beak-like
spout specifically designed for serving
Arabic coffee.
Today, many locals have dallah pots in
their homes that they use to entertain
family members and other guests.
The Dallah coffee pot is proudly
displayed on the one-dirham coin.

represents courage,
strength and force.

grace,

pride,

The Arabian Oryx
This is the national animal of the United
Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar.
Also known as the white oryx, their
bodies are distinctly white, whilst their
legs are dark brown as far down as
the last joint above their hoofs, with
the last part to the hoofs being white.
The white body colour helps to deflect
the sunlight. Both males and females
carry a pair of symmetrical horns, very
slightly curved to the back.
The Arabian oryx was hunted in the
wild to extinction over forty years
ago. However, captive breeding and
reintroduction
programmes
have
resulted in a thriving number today. HH
Sheikh Zayed’s family is among those
who have been credited with saving
the oryx by breeding them in captivity
during the 1960s. Herds can be found
at specific locations within the UAE.

The Falcon
Falconry is one of the oldest traditions
of the UAE. It remains one of the
most popular pastimes among locals.
Falconry is traditionally related to
hunting for food in the past, when
falcons were used to supplement diets
by hunting hares and houbara mainly.
Falconry teaches patience and
endurance. It requires skill and courage
to tame and train the falcon.
Arabs admire the falcon for its beauty,
posture, sharp eyesight and grandeur.
Today, there are laws implemented to
protect falcons and to ensure that the
birds are treated properly.
As a national symbol, the falcon

The Dhow
Prior to the discovery of oil in the UAE,
much of the country’s industry focused
on pearling and fishing. The famous
Dhow is a symbol of that era. The Arab
dhow is considered to be one of the
world’s most graceful sailing crafts, with
the emirates being credited throughout
history for the prowess of their sailors
and the sleek lines of their vessels.
Today, traditional boatyards in the
Emirates still value the dhow as an
ancient boat building tradition. It is
a powerful reminder of the country’s
history, the hard work of their ancestors
and their skill in creating such a
powerful and elegant watercraft. The
Dhow is a symbol of early trade and
water industry.

The Palm Tree
The palm tree is a symbol of
sustenance. It is one of the more
recognised symbols of the United
Arab Emirates and is lauded for its
numerous attributes. It is also the most
highly valued tree in the Arab world.
The palm tree is a source of food
for humans who eat the date fruit
and animals that are fed the seeds.
It provides shade from the sun. It
has been used in the construction
of houses, household items such as
pots, mats and fans. It has medicinal
purposes among other good attributes.
The palm tree serves as a reminder
of the country’s history of a time when
food was not easily accessible. It is a
symbol of food and water.

Special Feature

Nov - Dec 2014

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