“Two Swords and a Palm” Exhibition Traces the History of Saudi Arabia’s National Emblem

Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: A unique exhibition titled “Two Swords and a Palm: The Saudi Emblem Archive” opened to the public on Saturday at Al-Masmak Palace, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s national emblem. The exhibition runs until November 21 and showcases the emblem’s historic significance and transformations over the decades.

Curated by Saudi researchers Mohammed Alruways and Abdullah Kenani, the project is the result of four years of dedicated work in collecting, digitizing, and archiving objects bearing the emblem. “We started to become interested in the changes of the emblem and noticed that it doesn’t have a specific drawing. So, we began investigating its evolution from the unification of Saudi in the 1930s until today,” Alruways told Arab News.

The curators faced challenges not in collecting pieces but in tracing their origins and connecting them to specific historical periods. To address this, they focused on documents, books, and official items, some dating back to the 1940s. Among the rare finds are royal dining plates from the eras of King Abdulaziz and King Fahd, as well as a 1949 passport, one of the earliest to feature the emblem on its cover.

The exhibition is divided into three sections: objects bearing the emblem, large-scale reproductions including paintings made for diplomats, and a behind-the-scenes look at the digitization and archival process. Interactive displays, animated films, and visual presentations further enrich the visitor experience, illustrating how the emblem has adapted over time while maintaining its symbolic link to Saudi values and unity.

Al-Masmak Palace was chosen as the venue due to its historic role in the 1902 recapture of Riyadh by King Abdulaziz, a pivotal event in the Kingdom’s unification. “It was the right place because it’s where Saudi unification started and also has links to the emblem,” Alruways said. The team even replicated one of the palace’s original emblem displays as an installation.

According to the curators, the style of the emblem often reflected the era of each Saudi king. Pre-2009 versions were typically hand-drawn, each carrying unique artistic touches, while post-2009 designs became more uniform due to the rise of digital replication.

The Museums Commission, which organized the event, emphasized that the emblem is “not merely a fixed visual form, but a living record that reflects the state’s journey and aspirations across generations.” The exhibition also forms part of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to promote national heritage and transform historic sites like Al-Masmak Palace into vibrant cultural hubs.

Workshops and activities accompanying the exhibition will engage visitors of all ages, connecting them with the nation’s history and deepening their understanding of the emblem as a lasting symbol of Saudi Arabia’s identity.