Symbols
The Royal Flag
The Royal Flag was first established in the 1930s for all government institutions, the army and embassies abroad.
The Flag has a two-headed black eagle on a red background, with the helmet of Skanderbeg on top facing to the right.
The Symbolism of the double headed eagle gives poetic movement to the flag and stands for Albanian strength and valor, with the heads looking towards Kosova and Albania, Tosks and Ghegs, East and West depending on the interpretations.
The twenty four feathers represented the twenty four regional administrative districts of the Monarchy. The red background represents the blood and sacrifice for freedom which the Albanian nation has endured historically. The color black represents loyalty and honor.
The Symbolism of the double headed eagle gives poetic movement to the flag and stands for Albanian strength and valor, with the heads looking towards Kosova and Albania, Tosks and Ghegs, East and West depending on the interpretations.
The twenty four feathers represented the twenty four regional administrative districts of the Monarchy. The red background represents the blood and sacrifice for freedom which the Albanian nation has endured historically. The color black represents loyalty and honor.
The Royal Coat of Arms
The Royal Coat of Arms was established when Albania was declared a Constitutional Monarchy in 1928.
The First Coat of Arms was a red rectangle flag, with a black two-headed eagle, with the silver helmet of Skanderbeg centered on the chest of the eagle.
In 1930 the heraldic emblem of the Albanian Monarchy was changed. The double headed eagle was placed on an escutcheon surrounded by a silk papal-purple or red cape edged in gold with shoulders, with the helmet of Skanderbeg on top facing to the right as one looks at it. Black spots on a white background surround the two headed eagle, which is placed on a red shield in the center, representing the Albanian National Flag.
(Heraldic description: Gules a bicephalous Eagle sable; upon a mantle gules double ermine cords and tassels or; the whole ensigned with a cap of Skanderbeg, thereon a goat’s head sinister proper.)
In 1930 the heraldic emblem of the Albanian Monarchy was changed. The double headed eagle was placed on an escutcheon surrounded by a silk papal-purple or red cape edged in gold with shoulders, with the helmet of Skanderbeg on top facing to the right as one looks at it. Black spots on a white background surround the two headed eagle, which is placed on a red shield in the center, representing the Albanian National Flag.
(Heraldic description: Gules a bicephalous Eagle sable; upon a mantle gules double ermine cords and tassels or; the whole ensigned with a cap of Skanderbeg, thereon a goat’s head sinister proper.)
Royal Passport
The Albanian Royal passport was issued by the Royal government from 1928 until the Royal Family returned to Albania in 2002.
During the years in exile the Albanian Royal passport was the only legal travel document maintained by the family and Royal Court.
During the years in exile the Albanian Royal passport was the only legal travel document maintained by the family and Royal Court.
The Zogist Salute
The Zogist salute is a gesture of respect originating from the Albanian tradition of “greeting from the heart”.
The salute forms the “A” of Ahmet Zogu or “Atdheu” (the nation), or the letter “Z” for Zog, whereby the right hand is placed over the heart, with the palm facing downwards, feet at attention.
The salute forms the “A” of Ahmet Zogu or “Atdheu” (the nation), or the letter “Z” for Zog, whereby the right hand is placed over the heart, with the palm facing downwards, feet at attention.
N.M.T. ZOG I Mbretit te Shqipetareve
Si shkëndi që lëshohet prej djellit
Edhe tym edhe mjergull shpërndanë,
Si rrufe që shkëputet prej qiellit
E shkatërron edhe djek e përlanë,
Si një ëngjëll I nalt prej Zotit
Si një yll që zbret befas mbi dhe,
Ashtu zbriti n’Arbrin e Kastriotit
Ashtu leu Zog’ I rë për ne,
Rroftë Zog I parë, rroftë,
Shpëtimtari I Atdheut,
Brez pas brezit mbretëroftë,
Përmbi fron’ e Skënderbeut.
Shpëtimtar, Ty të qofshim falë,
Ç’do Shqiptar për Ty hyjin e lut,
Se në kanë tallaze e valë,
Syri yt as u-tremb, as u-tut,
Ti që sot e shpëtove Shqipërinë,
Brez pas brezit kujtim je për ne,
Merr kurorën me lul’ e define
Si I dytë I vërtetë Skëndërbe,
Rroftë Zog I parë, rroftë,
Shpëtimtari I Atdheut,
Brez pas brizit Mbretëroftë;
Përmbi Fron e Skëndërbeut.
Si shkëndi që lëshohet prej djellit
Edhe tym edhe mjergull shpërndanë,
Si rrufe që shkëputet prej qiellit
E shkatërron edhe djek e përlanë,
Si një ëngjëll I nalt prej Zotit
Si një yll që zbret befas mbi dhe,
Ashtu zbriti n’Arbrin e Kastriotit
Ashtu leu Zog’ I rë për ne,
Rroftë Zog I parë, rroftë,
Shpëtimtari I Atdheut,
Brez pas brezit mbretëroftë,
Përmbi fron’ e Skënderbeut.
Shpëtimtar, Ty të qofshim falë,
Ç’do Shqiptar për Ty hyjin e lut,
Se në kanë tallaze e valë,
Syri yt as u-tremb, as u-tut,
Ti që sot e shpëtove Shqipërinë,
Brez pas brezit kujtim je për ne,
Merr kurorën me lul’ e define
Si I dytë I vërtetë Skëndërbe,
Rroftë Zog I parë, rroftë,
Shpëtimtari I Atdheut,
Brez pas brizit Mbretëroftë;
Përmbi Fron e Skëndërbeut.
HM. Zog I King of the Albanians
Like a flash released from the sun
the smoke and mist dissipate,
like a lightning bolt free from the sky
it destroys, it burns and pursues,
Like a great angle from God
like a star that falls un-expectantly to the ground,
so it landed in Arbri and Kastrioti
so thus landed Zog I for us.
Viva Zog I, Viva.
the savoir of the Nation,
generation after generation rule as King;
On the throne of Skanderbeg.
To the savior, we thank you,
Every Albanian prays for you,
in all these tides and waves,
your eye never twitched and never blinked,
You, today saved Albania
generation after generation you will be remembered,
take the laurel wreath crown
as the second true Skanderbeg,
Viva Zog I, Viva,
the savoir of the Nation
generation after generation rule as King;
On the throne of Skanderbeg.
Like a flash released from the sun
the smoke and mist dissipate,
like a lightning bolt free from the sky
it destroys, it burns and pursues,
Like a great angle from God
like a star that falls un-expectantly to the ground,
so it landed in Arbri and Kastrioti
so thus landed Zog I for us.
Viva Zog I, Viva.
the savoir of the Nation,
generation after generation rule as King;
On the throne of Skanderbeg.
To the savior, we thank you,
Every Albanian prays for you,
in all these tides and waves,
your eye never twitched and never blinked,
You, today saved Albania
generation after generation you will be remembered,
take the laurel wreath crown
as the second true Skanderbeg,
Viva Zog I, Viva,
the savoir of the Nation
generation after generation rule as King;
On the throne of Skanderbeg.