Albanian Shqiponja

The double headed eagle on the Albanian flag, the Albanian Shqiponja means a lot to both me and my family. As my parents immigrated to the city, it was hard maintaining their Albanian tradition when they were trying so hard to fit into
“New Yorkian” culture. Yet even as they adapted to a new way of life, the Shqiponja remained a constant—stitched into old clothing, hanging quietly on the wall, or spoken about in stories that carried pieces of home across the ocean. It became more than just a symbol; it was a reminder of where we came from, a reminder of resilience, pride, and identity. Growing up, I came to the realization that it wasn’t really about choosing one world over the other, but more importantly learning how to carry and embrace both. The same way the two eagles face two directions, my family learned to look forward while never losing sight of the past.