What is it? the dragon logo on the cover of Skyrim, i thought it was like, the crest for Skyrim like how each hold has one in skyrim, but then i noticed it like.... every were in Oblivion like on the gates into the imperial city and on the big statue in the market section of the city... so what is it? a symbol of nords? the symbol of the Empire?

The Dragon symbol represents the Empire. Interestingly enough, it's origins actually lie in Akaviri design.

http://www.imperial-library.info/content/guide-akavir#heraldry

The symbol of the Empire.

FOR THE GLORY OF THE EMPIRE!

Hey, none of that imperialistic propaganda around here!

TRAITOR!!

Why not? The Empire is still strong enough to keep the whole of Tamriel together. There is another 200 years before we are given the choice to decide on the fate of one of its provinces.

That dragon is of Akaviri origins, and I believe it depicts Akatosh, ultimate patron of the Empire. It is the most powerful symbol in existance for Imperials and followers of the Empire.

http://i32.tinypic.com/mmzb69.jpg

The symbol originally is intact and has a diamond over it. The diamond alludes to the large red gem inset in the Amulet of Kings http://images.uesp.net/thumb/2/26/OB-item-Amulet_of_Kings.png/180px-OB-item-Amulet_of_Kings.png, which http://www.imperial-library.info/category/tags/amulet-kings. This diamond is a representation of the royal Septim lineage, i.e. the line of Emperors. The dragon refers to Akatosh's blessing of this Septim lineage and symbolises the Empire. The entire symbol represents the Empire and the Septims which rule over it. It appears in Morrowind (it's even on the cover) and was all over the place in Oblivion, http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060321171447/oblivion/images/thumb/4/42/Septim_coin.jpg/800px-Septim_coin.jpg, as OP has seen (no suprise given that Oblivion takes place in Cyrodiil, the heart of the Empire).

http://thingiverse-production.s3.amazonaws.com/renders/60/1c/c5/f4/89/skyrim_display_medium.jpg

This is the symbol as it appears in Skyrim. Contrary to popular opinion, it doesn't refer to the dragons of Alduin, but rather to the precarious nature of the Empire circa 4E201, when Skyrim is set. The symbol is partially broken on the lower right tip, an allusion to the Empire's weakened state following the Oblivion Crisis and the Great War, and, importantly, the Alessian Diamond is missing - a direct reference to the breaking of the Septim lineage (following the assassination of Uriel VII, his three sons and the martyrdom of his illegitimate heir Martin in Oblivion). The Empire in Skyrim is ruled by the Medes, a Colovian family which bear no familial bloodline back to Alessia and so do not have 'dragon blood' or the blessings of Akatosh. Many suggest this ignoble leadership is somewhat illegitimate and that the lack of a Septim Emperor is why the Empire is in it's current weakened state.

(Sorry, image tags didn't work, so you'll have to make do with links.)


Careful, you. This is the board for Oblivion, a chapter which fully revolves around Cyrodiil and the Empire. As a proud Imperial, I'll have no secessionist talk here

Even in Skyrim, the map markers for Imperial bases use that symbol. The Stormclock bases are marked with a bear paw.

That is the symbol for the Empire.