Coat of arms of Saint Kitts and Nevis
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The Saint Kitts and Nevis coat of arms was adopted in 1967 and possesses its motto: "Country Above Self".
The centre of the coat of arms is dominated by a shield at the base of which is a lighter in full sail. The lighter is one of the traditional means of transportation. A red chevron is highlighted by two poinciana flowers.
At the top of the shield on the blue background is the head of a Carib, supported by the fleur de lis and a rose. The Caribs were the early inhabitants of the islands, and the fleur de lis and rose signify the English and the French influences.[1] A helmet topped with the battlements of a tower appears with a flaming torch upheld by the hands of an African, European, and a person of mixed descent. The torch signifies the struggle and quest for freedom by a people of diverse ethnic origins, but united in purpose.
The shield is supported on either side by pelicans (the country's national bird), with wings extended, displaying a sugar cane plant and the coconut palm tree, which are extensively cultivated throughout Saint Kitts and Nevis.
[edit] References
- ^ "National Flag & Other National Symbols". St. Kitts & Nevis official website. http://www.stkittsnevis.org/flag.html.
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