STATE EMBLEM OF INDIA
DESCRIPTION AND DESIGN
The State Emblem of India is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Asoka which is
preserved in the Sarnath Museum. The Lion Capital has four lions mounted back to back on a
circularabacus. The frieze of the abacus is adorned with sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a
galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening Dharma Chakras. The abacus rests on a bellshaped lotus.
The profile of the Lion Capital showing three lions mounted on the abacus with a Dharma Chakrain
the centre, a bull on the right and a galloping horse on the left, and outlines of Dharma Chakras on the
extreme right and left has been adopted as the State Emblem of India. The bell-shaped lotus has been
omitted.
The motto “Satyameva Jayate”—Truth alone triumphs — written in Devanagari script below the
profile of the Lion Capital is part of the State Emblem of India.
The State Emblem of India shall conform to the designs as set out in Appendix I or A