The Sun and the Lion as Symbols in Heraldry and vexillology of Macedonia

The topic is multidisciplinary, so that ethnological, historical, social, sociological, legal and political aspects are taken into account. First, the theoretical framework for symbols and society is given, which includes a theoretical section on semiotics, the coat of arms and the flag and their function in society, as well as the process of choosing emblems and applying them to their coats of arms and flags. The principles of heraldry and vexillology are also introduced. The period up to 1944 is further examined, covering the sun and the lion as symbols in spiritual and material culture, as well as in heraldry and vexillology. The focus is on the lion in the coats of arms attributed to Alexander the Great in medieval Europe and the so-called Land coat of arms of Macedonia in Illyrian heraldry, as well as the application of the sun and the lion on flags during the National Movement in the 19th century. After the formation of the Macedonian state, within Yugoslavia in 1944, the socio-political and cultural context of the appearance of the sun in the state symbols of the SR Macedonia, the anthem and the coat of arms, is examined. The popularization of the lion as a symbol of Macedonia and of the sun and the lion as symbols used by the Macedonian diaspora is also examined. In the period after independence in 1991, the socio-political context of the choice of symbols and the symbolization of political parties is studied. The parliamentary process for the selection of symbols of the Republic of Macedonia is covered, including the proposals for the coat of arms and the flag of the state. This includes the symbols of the sun and the lion on the national flag and coat of arms in individual narratives, perceptions and emotions. Finally, contemporary Macedonian territorial heraldry and vexillology and the use of the sun on the coats of arms and flags of municipalities in the Republic of Macedonia are examined. The research includes analysis of sources, descriptions and typification of symbols and their categorization. This book, together with its predecessor, the book "Symbols of Macedonia", will contribute to enriching the theory and practice of Macedonian heraldry and vexillology and setting a theoretical framework for the study of symbols as elements of collective identity, which will become state symbols through the development of Macedonian statehood.