The emblem of Mali is a national emblem consisting of a circle charged with a bird at the top, a mosque in the centre flanked by two bows and arrows, and the rising sun at the bottom. Adopted thirteen years after the country gained independence, it has been the seal of the Republic of Mali since 1973. It is utilized on official documents as a coat of arms. The colours and objects on the seal carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The mosque depicted at the centre of the seal is the Great Mosque of Djenné. It represents Islam, the country's majority religion—practised by 94.8% of the population. Featured above the structure is a bird – the species it belongs to is disputed. Although the 1973 ordinance gives the description that it is a 'legendary vulture' originating from Malian folklore, other sources claim it is actually a dove that symbolizes peace. The Djenné mosque is flanked by two bows and arrows, with the rising sun pictured at the very bottom. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)