1580s, "relief, raised ornament on vessels, etc.," from Latin emblema "inlaid ornamental work," from Greek emblema (genitive emblematos) "an insertion," from emballein "to insert," literally "to throw in," from assimilated form of en "in" (see en-(2)) + ballein "to throw" (see ballistics). Meaning "allegorical drawing or picture" is from 1730, via sense development in French emblème "symbol" (16c.).