Coat of arms of Belize
| Coat of arms of Belize | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Armiger | Belize |
| Adopted | 1981 |
The coat of arms of Belize was adopted upon independence in 1981. It differs only slightly different from the arms used when Belize was a British colony (the Union Jack has been removed, and a Mestizo has replaced one of the Afro-Belizean woodcutters supporting the shield).[1][2]
The wreath around the arms is formed of 50 leaves, symbolizing the year 1950, "when Belizeans began the struggle for independence".[1] Within the wreath is a mahogany tree, in front of which is a shield split per chevron and per pale. The upper sections of the shield show the tools of a woodcutter, while the lower section shows a ship under sail. These are symbolic of the importance of mahogany in the 18th- and 19th-century Belizean economy.[3] The motto is Sub umbra floreo ("Under the shade I flourish"), a reference to the country's forests and to its establishment as a colony under British protection.[1]
The flag of Belize features the coat of arms in its centre.
Historical versions
[edit]-
Coat of arms of British Honduras, 1819–1907 -
Coat of arms of British Honduras, 1907–1967 -
Coat of arms of British Honduras/Belize, 1967–1981 -
Coat of arms of Belize, 1981–2019
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References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Belize Flag, Coat of Arms, National Anthem". Belize.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles (1915). The Book of Public Arms: A Complete Encyclopæeia of All Royal, Territorial, Municipal, Corporate, Official, and Impersonal Arms. London: T. C. & E. C. Jack. pp. 118–119. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "The National Symbols". Government of Belize. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
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