The Serbian eagle () is a double-headed heraldic eagle, also known as the White eagle (), a common symbol in the history of Serbian heraldry and vexillology. The double-headed eagle and the Serbian cross are the main heraldic symbols which represent the national identity of the Serbian people across the centuries, originating from the medieval NemanjiÃÂ dynasty. The eagle, defaced with the cross, has been used in the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Serbia from 1882 to 1918 and in contemporary coat of arms of the Republic of Serbia since 2004.
The double-headed eagle was adopted in medieval Serbia from its use as an imperial symbol in the Byzantine Empire.
The oldest preserved Nemanjiàdynasty double-headed eagle in historical sources is depicted on the ktetor portrait of Miroslav of Hum in the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Bijelo Polje, dating to 1190. It had the following characteristics: one neck and two heads, collars on the neck and tail, spread wings, a tail in the shape of fleur-de-lis, heads higher than wings, feet have three toes, the eagle is within a circle. This type of Nemanjiàeagle developed between the 12th and 15th centuries. It was very different from the German eagle: two necks, no collars, tail is leaf-shaped, heads are lower than wings, four toes, unspread wings. The Nemanjiàdouble-headed eagle (with the specific characteristics) was depicted on the details of ornaments and textile in the à ½iÃÂa monastery (1207âÂÂ20), in the Church of Our Lady of Ljevià ¡ (1307âÂÂ10), the decoration of Jovan Oliver's clothing (1349), detail on textile from VeluÃÂe Monastery (14th century), a detail in the Resava Monastery (1402âÂÂ27), on the plate of Ivan CrnojeviÃÂ's coat of arms, as well as in other monasteries and churches.
Beginning in the 14th century, the double-headed eagle can be seen more often on inscriptions, medieval frescoes and embroidery on the clothes of Serbian royalty. The Serbian Church adopted it, with the entrance of à ½iÃÂa Monastery (the seat of the Serbian Archbishopric in the 1219âÂÂ53 period, and by tradition the coronation church of the Serbian kings) was engraved with the double-headed eagle. The survived golden ring of Queen Teodora (1321âÂÂ22) has the symbol engraved. During the reign of Emperor Stefan Duà ¡an (r. 1331âÂÂ55), the double-headed eagle can be seen on everyday objects and state related documents, such as wax stamps and decrees. In 1339, map maker, Angelino Dulcert, marked the Serbian Empire with a flag with a red double-headed eagle on yellow background.
Other Serbian dynasties also adopted the symbol as a symbolic continuation, like the MrnjavÃÂeviàand LazareviÃÂ. Prince Lazar (r. 1371âÂÂ89), when renovating the Hilandar monastery of Mount Athos, engraved the double-headed eagle at the northern wall. The Codex Monacensis Slavicus 4 ( 1371âÂÂ89) has richly attested artwork of the Serbian eagle. The double-headed eagle was officially adopted by Stefan Lazareviàafter he received the despot title, the second highest Byzantine title, by John VII Palaiologos in 1402 at the court in Constantinople. Ulrich Richental (1365âÂÂ1437) in the Chronicle of the Council of Constance (1420) depicted the coat of arms of Despot Stefan Lazareviàas a red shield with a golden double-headed eagle. Conrad Grünenberg depicted Despot Stefan's coat of arms similarly, a golden double-headed eagle, but with blue claws, and a helmet at the top with another golden double-headed eagle.
The double-headed eagle was used in several coats of arms found in the Illyrian Armorials, compiled in the early modern period. The white double-headed eagle on a red shield was used for the NemanjiÃÂ dynasty, and the Despot Stefan LazareviÃÂ. A "NemanjiÃÂ eagle" was used at the crest of the HrebeljanoviÃÂ (LazareviÃÂ dynasty), while a half-white half-red eagle was used at the crest of the MrnjavÃÂeviÃÂ.
After the Ottoman invasion and subsequent occupation that lasted until the early 19th century, the double-headed eagle ceased to be used as it was a symbol of Serbian sovereignty and statehood. The Serbian cross with four firesteels (ocila) came into greater use as another symbol of Serbs. The emblem has mostly been depicted as a white eagle (beli orao, pl. beli orlovi) since 1804, when GavriloviÃÂ issued a revolutionary flag based on the NemanjiÃÂ eagle in Stemmatographia.
The Serbian Revolution resurrected the NemanjiÃÂ tradition, and the white double-headed eagle became the symbol of Serbia as the coat of arms following independence from the Ottoman Empire. The Serbian cross has been used as the shield with the Serbian eagle in the contemporary design of the coat of arms of Serbia, following the tradition established by the Kingdom of Serbia of 1882.
The coat of arms of 1882 depicts a white double-headed eagle, but not the NemanjiÃÂ type, but a German one, despite the fact that it symbolizes heritage of the NemanjiÃÂ; the mistake was made by the illustrator of the coat of arms, German Von Schtrel, who "cheated" Stojan NovakoviÃÂ (reputable Serbian historian and minister) and used the German-style eagle instead of the NemanjiÃÂ eagle.
It was part of the family coat of arms of both Serbian royal dynasties, the ObrenoviÃÂ and KaraÃÂorÃÂeviÃÂ.
The Order of the White Eagle was a royal order awarded Serbian and Yugoslav citizens for achievements in peace or war, or for special merits to the Crown, the state and nation, between 1883 and 1945.
Current coat of arms of Serbia is a Serbian eagle on a red shield with a crown above the shield. It is widely used as a base for emblems of other state bodies and services, such as Serbian Armed Forces and Serbian Police, which both use double-headed white eagle i.e. Serbian eagle in their respective emblems. The Order of the White Eagle with the swords is the fifth highest order of the Republic of Serbia and is awarded for special merits in the national defense system or special merits in commanding and managing military units, i.e. military institutions and their training for the defense of the Republic of Serbia.
The Serbian national teams in team sports are nicknamed "the Eagles" (Orlovi) in reference to the Serbian eagle, while the Serbian national football team in addition uses a stylized Serbian eagle (charged with Serbian cross) as its emblem. There are a dozen football clubs of Serbian diaspora which bear name White Eagles such as Serbian White Eagles FC and Hamilton White Eagles in Canada; and Canberra White Eagles FC, Dianella White Eagles SC, Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC, Albion Park White Eagles FC, Springvale White Eagles FC in Australia.