The Falcon: Saudi Arabia’s Identity Ambassador

A country’s identity does not always need a long explanation. Sometimes a single image or symbol says enough, carrying with it the history of a place and the bond between its people and their land.
For Saudi Arabia, the falcon is one such symbol. Closely associated with the desert, hunting and travel, it has become woven into the country’s collective memory, language, poetry and stories passed down from one generation to the next.
Falconry is far more than a pastime. It carries a rich body of knowledge, its own vocabulary, and skills and values shaped over centuries. The bond between a falconer and a falcon speaks of patience, care and discipline, as well as an intimate understanding ...