A national emblem is an emblem or seal that is reserved for use by a nation state or multi-national state as a symbol of that nation. Many nations have a seal or emblem in addition to a national flag.
Other national symbols, such as national birds, trees, flowers, etc., are listed at lists of national symbols.
The design of an emblem is different to that of a coat of arms which should follow the rules of heraldry and so contain a shield (escutcheon) in the center. However, many unheraldic national emblems are colloquially called national coats of arms anyway, because they are used for the same purposes as national coats of arms. [2]
Some designs of national emblems can be used one-to-one for a national seal. [3]
Some national emblems may be facsimiles of seals, which along with their traditional usage can be used in lieu of a coat of arms or emblem. The obverse of the Great Seal of the United States is commonly used like this, and itself features the coat of arms of the United States.