Eagle and Iris

Eagle and Iris
State Medal, 5747-1987

For thousands of years, the eagle has been considered king of the birds and on many national emblems it appears as a symbol of royalty and holiness. Admiration for the eagle is known from Assyrian times. During the period of the Pharoahs in Egypt, the eagle was the symbol for "Aleph", the first letter of the alphabet, in hierogliphic writing. The eagle is mentioned 28 times in the Bible and it is praised for exemplary behavior towards its young (Deuteronomy 32). In the Mishnah, one is recommended to be "light as an eagle". In the 13th century, when the Jews wished to glorify the name of Maimonides - the great master of Jewish Law and thought - they named him "The Great Eagle". The mass emigration of the Jews from Yemen to the Land of Israel, when the State was established, was named "On Eagle's Wings". The iris family (Iridaceae) is represented in Israel by 16 different species, mostly rare and with a limited dispersion. Many of them are endemic, they flower only in the Land of Israel. For this reason, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel chose this flower as its emblem.

Obverse: The eagle with spread out wings and the verse in Hebrew and English: "He shall soar as an eagle." (Jeremiah 48.40).

Reverse: Three irises in full blossom and the verse in Hebrew and English: "It shall blossom and rejoice." (Isaiah 35.2).

Edge: Milled on the gold and silver medals. On the bronze medal, the emblem of the State of Israel. The words "State of Israel" in Hebrew and English and a serial number.

Designer: Obverse - Lili Sheer. Reverse - Joseph Bass.

Mint: Gold and Silver medals - Kretschmer. Bronze medal - Hecht.