Switzerland Depicts the Alps in Its Passports, Why Armenia Should Not Depict Ararat: 'Jamanak'

There are numerous examples around the world where countries use symbols in their national emblems, flags, or official documents that relate to their historical or cultural territories, which are not currently within the sovereign domain of that state. These symbols are accepted as expressions of historical heritage or national identity rather than territorial claims.

As the newspaper 'Jamanak' writes: Here are several examples of countries that prove that the use of symbols related to territories outside of the current borders of states in their national symbols does not imply territorial claims against other countries:

1. Switzerland uses images of Alpine landscapes in its passports, but it is important to note that the Alps are not entirely located within Switzerland’s territory. The Alpine mountains stretch across the territories of Italy, Austria, France, Germany, and Slovenia, but the use of these images is not considered a territorial claim against those countries. Neither the government nor official sources have suggested or implied that these images represent territorial aspirations towards other countries, even if those mountains are also found in Italy, France, etc. The images are presented as symbols of nature, history, and culture.

2. Ireland has its symbols that represent territories that existed during the country’s historical period, even though some of them are now in Northern Ireland, which is under British authority. For example, the red hand of Ulster is used in the Irish state symbols, but this does not mean that Ireland claims territory against Great Britain. The symbol represents historical and cultural heritage. The Irish constitution does not contain territorial claims against Northern Ireland. While it expresses the desire for unity in the future, the use of symbols as part of national identity is not considered a legal or political demand.

3. Greece uses the Byzantine double-headed eagle in its state symbols. The double-headed eagle, derived from the Byzantine Empire, can be seen in Greek Orthodox ecclesiastical symbols, military insignia, and even some municipal coats of arms. It historically symbolizes the Byzantine capital of Constantinople (now Istanbul) and the empire's authority over Anatolia and the Balkans. Modern Greek politics does not have an official territorial claim to Istanbul or Eastern Thrace. The use of Byzantine symbols has cultural and historical significance, rather than political.

4. The coat of arms of Estonia features lions of Danish origin. The three blue lions (or lynxes) depicted on the Estonian state coat of arms are inherited from Denmark’s King Valdemar II, who conquered northern Estonia in 1219. This symbol was revived in the 1990s after independence. The symbol does not contain any territorial claims against Denmark. It is perceived as historical heritage.

5. The coat of arms of Spain represents the symbols of Castile, León, Aragon, Navarre, Granada, and the Bourbons. These historical kingdoms in the past also included territories outside of Spain’s current borders (for example, Sicily, Naples). These symbols are not interpreted as territorial claims against other countries; they are presented as historical unities.

6. Several autonomous regions in Spain, such as Catalonia or the Basque Country, use historical flags or coats of arms that do not align with the current administrative structure. These symbols are accepted as part of cultural identity and are not interpreted as independence or territorial claims.

In conclusion, we can state that the depiction of Mount Ararat in Armenia’s coat of arms, border stamps, and other state symbols holds historical, cultural, and religious significance for the Armenian people. This image is used as a symbol of national identity, not as a territorial claim against Turkey. Just as the mountains depicted in the Swiss passport are not located within Switzerland, but that fact is not considered a territorial claim, similarly, Armenia can use Ararat as a cultural and historical symbol, regardless of its current geographical location,” the newspaper writes.