The Coat of Arms of the Republic of Bulgaria is a state symbol of the sovereignty and independence of the Bulgarian people and state. The Coat of Arms is a crowned rampant golden lion on a dark red background with the shape of a shield. Above the shield there is a crown modeled after the crowns of the kings of the Second Bulgarian kingdom. Two crowned rampant golden lions hold the shield from both sides. They stand upon two crossed oak branches with acorns. Under the shield, there is a white band lined with the three national colors. The band is placed across the ends of the branches and the phrase "Unity Provides Strength" is inscribed on it. The present Coat of Arms was adopted by the National Assembly on July 31, 1997, following almost a decade of disputes over the new symbol. The end result is similar to the ceremonial form of the 1930-46 coat of arms, but not so ornamental and more stylized.
