The Imperial Crest of the House of Solomon
“The Imperial Crest depicts an empty throne, waiting in expectation for the return of Christ and the rule of right and justice.” – H.I.H
Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie Haile Selassie
The Imperial Crest is the Official Coat of Arms and Seal of the Ethiopian Monarchy. The arms display the Throne of Solomon,
supported by two angels. The angel to the right of the throne bears the Sword of State, and Scales of Justice, symbolizing the role of
the Emperor as Supreme Soldier and Supreme Judge. The Angel to the left of the throne bears the Imperial Scepter, symbolizing the
sovereignty of the monarch. The Lion of Judah stands before the throne, and the arms are draped under an Imperial Red canopy,
surmounted by the Imperial Crown. Below the Lion of Judah appears the words, “Moa Anbessa Ze Imnegede Yehudah”, translating
to “Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah”. At the base of the arms on the Crest would usually be a banner reading, “Ityopia
Tabetseh Edewiha Habe Igziabeher”, which is a quote from the Psalms of David (Amharic; Mezmure Dawit) in the ancient Ge’ez
language of Ethiopia, and translates to “Ethiopia Stretches Her Hands unto God” (Psalms 68:31), which served as the official Motto
in the Imperial Era.
The title “Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah” is often attached to the Emperor’s name, but is not a title of the Emperor himself.
As Prince Asfa-Wossen Asserate noted: “The phrase ‘Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah’ has never been the title of Ethiopian
monarchs. Rather, the words ‘The Lion of the Tribe of Judah hath prevailed’ (see Genesis 49:9) should be seen as the Imperial
motto, in the same way that ‘Honi Soit Qui Mal y Pense’ is the motto of the British ruling house. It is only our Lord Jesus Christ who
is accorded this title [‘Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah’], and Ethiopian Monarchs used this motto in order to proclaim that
they were Christians."
In proclaiming the 1955 Constitution, the phrase “Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah” appeared above the name of the
Emperor, indicating the religious authority of the Crown.
Source: Tsega Tekle Haimanot ~ FB post ~ 14 Sep 2019
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