Zimbabwe Bird

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The stone-carved Zimbabwe Bird is the national emblem of Zimbabwe,

appearing on the national flags and coats of arms of both Zimbabwe and
Rhodesia, as well as on banknotes and coins (first on Rhodesian pound and
then Rhodesian dollar). It probably represents the bateleur eagle or the
African fish eagle.[1][2]

Origins
The original carved birds are from the ruined city of Great Zimbabwe,
which was built by ancestors of the Shona, starting in the 11th century and
continuing for over 300 years.[3] The ruins, after which modern Zimbabwe
was named, cover some 730 hectares (1,800 acres) and are the largest
ancient stone construction in Zimbabwe. Among its notable elements are
the soapstone bird sculptures, about 40 centimetres (16 inches) tall and
standing on columns more than 90 cm (3 ft) tall, were installed on walls
The Zimbabwe Bird
and monoliths of the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe.[3] They are believed
to have been a sign of the royal presence.

After the ruins of Great Zimbabwe were discovered by European colonists in the
late nineteenth century, they took five of the carved birds to the Cape Colony and
sold them to its leader Cecil Rhodes. A German missionary came to own the
pedestal of one bird, which he sold to the Ethnological Museum in Berlin in
1907.[4] In 1981, a year after the attainment of independence in Zimbabwe, the
South African government returned four of the statues to the country; the fifth is
held at Groote Schuur, Rhodes' former home in Cape Town. In 2003, the German
museum returned the portion of bird's pedestal to Zimbabwe.[4]

On flags, currency and stamps

As the national symbol, images of the Zimbabwe Bird have appeared in various
forms on the country's coats of arms, flags, currency, medals and stamps.
Copy of Zimbabwe Bird
soapstone sculpture.
National flag of Flag of Zimbabwe Flag of Rhodesia (1968- Coat of Arms of
Zimbabwe containing Rhodesia (1979-1980). 1979). Rhodesia (1924-1982).
the Zimbabwe Bird.

Emblem used by the Obverse side of a Logo used by the Rhodesian Grand
Rhodesia Corps of Rhodesian dollar note Parliament of Rhodesia. Commander of the
Signals (1970-1980). with Zimbabwe Bird in Legion of Merit
the bottom left hand (GCLM) medal (Civil
corner. and Military).

Obverse of a Rhodesian Reverse side of a Reverse side of a Zimbabwe 17c stamp

20c coin. Zimbabwean one dollar Zimbabwe fifty dollar (2nd definitive series).
coin. note (2nd series)
illustrating the Great
Zimbabwe Ruins and
Zimbabwe Bird in the
bottom right hand
corner.
Revenue stamps of Zimbabwe Postage Due Coat of Arms of Flag of the Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe. 2c stamp. Zimbabwe (1982- ). Defence Forces.

Flag of the Zimbabwe Emblem of the Flag of the Air Force of Air Force of Zimbabwe
National Army. Zimbabwe Prison Zimbabwe. emblem.
Service.

Air Force of Zimbabwe Flag of Harare, capital University of Proudly Zimbabwean

Chief of Staff Car and of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe emblem. logo.
Aircraft car flag.
 Air Zimbabwe logo

References and sources

References
Wikimedia Commons has
media related to Zimbabwe
1. Thomas N. Huffman (1985). "The Soapstone Birds from Great Zimbabwe".
Bird.
African Arts 18 (3): 6873, 99100. JSTOR 3336358.
2. Paul Sinclair (2001). "Review: The Soapstone Birds of Great Zimbabwe
Symbols of a Nation by Edward Matenga". The South African Archaeological Bulletin 56 (173/174): 105106.
JSTOR 3889033.
3. Great Zimbabwe (11th15th century) | Thematic Essay | Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (http
://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/zimb/hd_zimb.htm)
4. "Zimbabwe bird 'flies' home" (http://www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3028589.stm), BBC, 4 May 2003, accessed 6 May 2013

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zimbabwe_Bird&oldid=727883391"

Categories: Birds in art National symbols of Rhodesia National symbols of Zimbabwe Stone sculptures
Zimbabwean culture African art

This page was last modified on 1 July 2016, at 21:04.

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