The National Emblem of India is a replica of the Lion Capital of Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh that was adopted on 26th January 1950, the day India became a Republic.
The whole structure of the lion capital was carved out of a single block of polished sandstone.
The Lion Capital was erected in the third century BC by Emperor Ashoka to mark the spot where Buddha first proclaimed his gospel of peace and emancipation to the four quarters of the universe.
The National emblem is symbolic of contemporary India's reaffirmation of its ancient commitment to world peace and goodwill.
The four Lions, one being hidden – symbolize power, courage and confidence.
The four Lions rest on a circular abacus, which is girded by four smaller animals – guardians of the four directions: the Lion of the north, the Elephant of the east, the Horse of the south and the Bull of the west.
The Elephant of the east is a representation of Queen Maya’s conception of Buddha when she saw a white elephant entering her womb in a dream. The Bull of the west represents desire during the life of the Buddha as a prince. The Horse of the south symbolizes Buddha’s departure from palatial life. The Lion of the North represents the attainment of Nirvana by Lord Buddha.
The abacus rests on a lotus in full bloom, which exemplifies the fountainhead of life and creative inspiration.
The motto, 'Satyameva Jayate,' is inscribed below the emblem in Devanagari script, meaning 'truth alone triumphs', is a quote from the Mundaka Upanishad, the concluding part of the sacred Hindu Vedas.
