A study on the influence of European heraldic visual designs on emblem designs of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Since the colonial period of Sri Lanka, emblems were used widely to identify different entities attached to the government. By the end of British rule, the use of emblems seems to have been widespread. It can be observed that many of these emblems have a similar appearance in the structure, use of shapes, and use of decorative visual elements. The problem of this research is, to what extent the European heraldic visual designs influenced the emblem designs of Sri Lanka? The objective is, to identify the influence of European heraldic visual designs in Sri Lankan emblem designs and to examine the visual representation of these emblems in relation to their context. This exploratory research uses qualitative methods to collect and examine data. Visual semiotics is used to analyze the visual representation of 40 emblems that were created during the latter half of the 19th century and in the 20th century. All the emblems selected for this study are of public entities in Sri Lanka. The results suggest that the majority of the selected emblems have a visual structure similar to European heraldic visual designs such as the British Royal coat of arms, combining several visual elements and text in a specific manner. However, the overall shape and the visual elements used in Sri Lankan emblems are entirely unique and inspired by traditional Sinhalese decorative design elements. There are also many common elements such as the lion passant, Dharmachakra, lotus petals, and sheaves of paddy signifying the Sri Lankan identity and communicating various ideas relevant to the entity that it represents. Despite the absence of a common regulation for creating emblems, there is a coherent nature in the visual structure of many of these emblems. It suggests that the visual structure of these emblems is influenced by European heraldic visual designs.