1.
Tunisia
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Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa, covering 165,000 square kilometres. Its northernmost point, Cape Angela, is the northernmost point on the African continent and it is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunisias population was estimated to be just under 11 million in 2014, Tunisias name is derived from its capital city, Tunis, which is located on Tunisias northeast coast. Geographically, Tunisia contains the end of the Atlas Mountains. Much of the rest of the land is fertile soil. Tunisia is a unitary semi-presidential representative democratic republic and it is considered to be the only full democracy in the Arab World. It has a human development index. In addition, Tunisia is also a state of the United Nations. Close relations with Europe – in particular with France and with Italy – have been forged through economic cooperation, privatisation, in ancient times, Tunisia was primarily inhabited by Berbers. Phoenician immigration began in the 12th century BC, these immigrants founded Carthage, a major mercantile power and a military rival of the Roman Republic, Carthage was defeated by the Romans in 146 BC. The Romans, who would occupy Tunisia for most of the eight hundred years, introduced Christianity. After several attempts starting in 647, the Arabs conquered the whole of Tunisia by 697, the Ottomans held sway for over three hundred years. The French colonization of Tunisia occurred in 1881, Tunisia gained independence with Habib Bourguiba and declared the Tunisian Republic in 1957. In 2011, the Tunisian Revolution resulted in the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the country voted for parliament again on 26 October 2014, and for President on 23 November 2014. The word Tunisia is derived from Tunis, an urban hub. The present form of the name, with its Latinate suffix -ia, the French derivative Tunisie was adopted in some European languages with slight modifications, introducing a distinctive name to designate the country. Other languages remained untouched, such as the Russian Туни́с and Spanish Túnez, in this case, the same name is used for both country and city, as with the Arabic تونس, and only by context can one tell the difference. The name Tunis can be attributed to different origins and it is generally associated with the Berber root ⵜⵏⵙ, transcribed tns, which means to lay down or encampment
2.
Crest (heraldry)
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A crest is a component of a heraldic display, consisting of the device borne on top of the helm. Originating in the decorative sculptures worn by knights in tournaments and, to an extent, battles. A normal heraldic achievement consists of the shield, above which is set the helm, on which sits the crest, the word crest derives from the Latin crista, meaning tuft or plume, perhaps related to crinis, hair. They first appeared in a context in the form of the metal fans worn by knights in the 12th and 13th centuries. These were primarily decorative, but may also have served a purpose by lessening or deflecting the blows of opponents weapons. These fans were generally of one colour, later evolving to repeat all or part of the arms displayed on the shield. The fan crest was developed by cutting out the figure displayed on it, to form a metal outline. Torses did not come into use in Britain until the 15th century, and are still uncommon on the Continent. Crests were also mounted on a furred cap known as a chapeau. By the 16th century the age of tournaments had ended, and their illustrated equivalents consequently began to be treated as simply two-dimensional pictures. In the same period, different helms began to be used for different ranks, sovereigns and knights helms faced forwards, whereas those of peers, torses also suffered artistically, being treated not as silken circlets, but as horizontal bars. Heraldry in general underwent something of a renaissance in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, crests are now generally not granted unless they could actually be used on a physical helm, and the rules about directions of helms are no longer rigidly observed. The use of crests was once restricted to those of tournament rank, i. e. knights and above and they are not generally used by women and clergymen, as they did not participate in war or tournaments and thus would not have helms on which to wear them. Some heraldists are also of the opinion that crests, as devices, are not suited for use by corporate bodies. This practice did not exist in Britain until the modern era, and arms with more than one crest are still rare. After the 16th century, it common for armigers to detach the crest and wreath from the helm. This led to the use of the term crest to mean arms. Unlike a badge, which can be used by any amount of relatives and retainers, a crest is personal to the armiger, and its use by others is considered usurpation
3.
Escutcheon (heraldry)
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In heraldry, an escutcheon is a shield that forms the main or focal element in an achievement of arms. The word is used in two related senses, firstly, as the shield on which a coat of arms is displayed. Escutcheon shapes are derived from actual shields used by knights in combat, other shapes are in use, such as the roundel commonly used for arms granted to Aboriginal Canadians by the Canadian Heraldic Authority. Secondly, a shield can itself be a charge within a coat of arms, more often, a smaller shield is placed over the middle of the main shield as a form of marshalling. In either case, the shield is usually given the same shape as the main shield. When there is one such shield, it is sometimes called an inescutcheon. The word escutcheon is derived from Middle English escochon, from Anglo-Norman escuchon, from Vulgar Latin scūtiōn-, from Latin scūtum, from its use in heraldry, escutcheon can be a metaphor for a familys honour. The idiom a blot on the escutcheon is used to mean a stain on somebodys reputation, by about 1250 the shields used in warfare were almost triangular in shape, referred to as heater shields. That on the monument to the latters grandfather Geoffrey V. This almost equilateral shape is used as a setting for armorials from this classical age of heraldry. In the Tudor era the heraldic escutcheon took the shape of an inverted Tudor arch, continental European designs frequently use the various forms used in jousting, which incorporate mouths used as lance rests into the shields, such escutcheons are known as à bouche. The mouth is correctly shown on the side only, as jousting pitches were designed for right-handed knights. Heraldic examples of English shields à bouche can be seen in the spandrels of the timber roof of Lincolns Inn Hall. In this case the lozenge is without crest or helm, again objects of manly warfare, however, for the practical purpose of categorisation the lozenge may be treated as a variety of heraldic escutcheon. In general a female was represented by her paternal arms impaled by the arms of her husband on an escutcheon, in modern Canadian heraldry, and certain other modern heraldic jurisdictions, women may be granted their own arms and display these on an escutcheon. Life peeresses in England display their arms on a lozenge, an oval or cartouche is occasionally also used instead of the lozenge for armigerous women. Divorced women may theoretically until remarriage use their ex-husbands arms differenced with a mascle, the lozenge shape of quasi-escutcheon is also used for funerary hatchments for both men and women. Pretoria High School for Girls in South Africa is one of the few schools that was granted permission to use the lozenge as part of its coat of arms
4.
Punics
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The Punics, also known as Carthaginians, were a people from Ancient Carthage in modern-day Tunisia, North Africa, who traced their origins to the Berbers and Phoenicians. Punic is the English adjective derived from the Latin adjective punicus to describe anything Carthaginian and their language, Punic, was a dialect of Phoenician. Unlike their Phoenician ancestors, Carthaginians had an aristocracy who established a rule of the hinterland in Northern Africa. In later times one of these clans established a Hellenistic-inspired empire in Iberia, like other Phoenician people, their urbanized culture and economy were strongly linked to the sea. In the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, Corsica and Sicily they had strong economic and their naval presence and trade extended throughout the Mediterranean and beyond to the British Isles, the Canaries, and West Africa. Technical achievements of the Punic people of Carthage include the development of uncolored glass, after the Punic Wars, Romans used the term Punic as an adjective meaning treacherous. Phoenicians also settled in Northwest Africa and other areas under Carthaginian rule and their culture, Remains of the Punic culture can be found in settlements from the Iberian Peninsula in the West to Cyprus in the East. Punic culture became a melting pot, since Carthage was a big trading port, the Carthaginians carried out significant sea explorations around Africa and elsewhere from their base in Carthage. Carthaginians pushed westerly into the Atlantic and established important settlements in Lixus, Volubilis, Chellah and Mogador, being trade rivals with Magna Graecia, the Carthaginians had several clashes with the Greeks over the island of Sicily in the Sicilian Wars from 600-265 BC. They eventually fought Rome in the Sicilian Wars of 265-146 BC and this enabled a Roman settlement of Africa and eventual domination of the Mediterranean Sea. They were eventually incorporated into the Roman Republic in 146 BC with the destruction of Carthage but Cato never got to see his victory, the destruction of Carthage was not the end of the Carthaginians. After the wars, the city of Carthage was completely razed, there were, however, other Punic cities in North Africa, and Carthage itself was rebuilt and regained some importance, if a shadow of its ancient influence. Although the area was partially romanized and some of the population adopted the Roman religion, the language, people of Punic origin prospered again as traders, merchants and even politicians of the Roman Empire. Septimius Severus, emperor of Rome and a proud Punic, was said to speak Latin with a Punic accent, under his reign Carthaginians rose to the elites and their deities entered their imperial cult. Carthage was rebuilt about 46 BC by Julius Caesar, places in the area were granted for settlement as benefits to soldiers who had served in Roman armies. Carthage again prospered and even became the two trading city in the Roman Empire, until Constantinople took over that position. As Christianity spread in the Roman Empire, it was successful in North Africa. Saint Augustine, born in Thagaste, considered himself Punic, one of his more well known passages reads, It is an excellent thing that the Punic Christians call Baptism itself nothing else but salvation, and the Sacrament of Christs Body nothing else but life
5.
Flag of Tunisia
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The red and white flag of Tunisia, adopted as national flag in 1959, has its origins the naval ensign of the Kingdom of Tunis adopted in 1831 by Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud. The star and crescent recalls the Ottoman flag and is therefore an indication of Tunisias history as a part of the Ottoman Empire, the current official design dates to 1999. Until the mid-18th century, the design and significance of maritime flags flying on ships in Tunis were unknown, thereafter, and until the early 19th century, the flag was composed of horizontal blue, red and green stripes, identifying the Ottoman regency in Tunis. According to Ottfried Neubecker, the bey of Tunis also had his own flag. This flag was most likely a simple personal banner of the ruler, as it floated above the Bardo Palace, the Citadel of Tunis, on navy ships, and also in the center of the coat of arms in Tunisia. It was used at a number of public ceremonies—including at the proclamation of the Ottoman constitution on 21 March 1840—until the abolition of the Bey monarchy on 25 July 1957. Featured in the center of the stripe was the Zulfiqar, the legendary Islamic sword of Ali, with the blade in white. The red and yellow stripes each contained five equidistant symbols, whose order was alternated between each stripe, the first yellow stripe contains three red stars and two blue disks. The second stripe, red in color, contains three green disksand two white stars, the third stripe is identical to the first, with the exception that the star in its center is white, while the fourth stripe is identical to the second stripe. Several Muslim countries along the south coast of the Mediterranean Sea used a red flag similar to the flag of the Ottoman Empire, during the era of the French protectorate in Tunisia, French authorities did not change the Tunisian flag. In the same vein, vexillologist Whitney Smith stated that the addition of the French flag was modification of the unofficial Tunisian national flag and he added, Tunisia, a French protectorate, retained its national flag on land and at sea. Nevertheless, in the late 19th Century or early 20th Century an unofficial version of the flag was used with the tricolor canton, in 1925 a formal proposal was made to adopt that flag as official, but no action was taken. That flag, featured on the cover of issue, does not appear to have been illustrated in any vexillological source. 99-56 of 30 June 1999, adopted on 3 July by the Chamber of Deputies, formalized the Tunisian flag for the first time in law, the flag is in the form of a red rectangle with a width equal to two-thirds of its length. In the middle of the flag is a disk whose diameter is equal to one-third of the length of the rectangle. A red five-pointed star is located to the right of the disk, the location of the stars five points is determined by an imaginary disk centered on the stars center, its diameter equal to roughly 15% the length of the flag. The points of the star are equidistant from each other, in addition, at the top of the flag used by the President of the Republic, the words for the nation are written in gold. For the Tunisian embassy in France, the red represents the blood of martyrs killed during the Turkish conquest of Tunisia in 1574
6.
Kingdom of Tunisia
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The Kingdom of Tunisia was a short-lived kingdom established on 20 March 1956 after the Tunisian independence and lasted until the declaration of the republic on 25 July 1957. An independence movement lasting many decades eventually prevailed, leading to the end of the French protectorate, the agreed Convention of April,1955, stated that France would retain control of the army and foreign affairs while granting autonomy, which was to begin the following year. Bourguiba was released from prison by the French to a tumultuous welcome and this compromise, however, split the Neo Destour, eventually it led to suppression of its left wing, and expulsion of its radical, pan-Arab leader Salah ben Youssef, who later fled to Egypt. This resolution of intra-party strife signalled that Neo Destour would pursue a moderate path, the French then terminated their protectorate over Morocco, in order to concentrate their forces in Algeria. In reaction, and following the public opinion voiced by Tunisians. The French, overcoming the objections of the French settlers, eventually acceded. On 20 March 1956, Tunisia achieved its full sovereignty, in July Tunisias application for membership in the United Nations was accepted. The French conceived an independent Tunisia as a monarchy ruled by the Bey of Tunis. The Bey was an institution that dated back to the early Ottoman era, the prior Bey Muhammad VII al-Munsif had been a popular nationalist, but Amin Bey was both considered by some to be compromised by the French, by others to be a youssefist. Already scheduled elections were held on 25 March 1956, due to secret arrangements negotiated by Bourguiba with the Bey the voters choose only party lists and this arrangement made it easier for the Neo Destour party to keep out any youssefist or other dissidents, and to maintain party discipline. The elections were then swept by the Neo Destour party, whose leader Habib Bourguiba became prime minister, on 25 July 1957, the monarchy was abolished, the beylical office terminated, and Tunisia proclaimed a Republic. The assembly then made Bourguiba the first president, of what would be a single-party state, French protectorate of Tunisia Beylik of Tunis History of modern Tunisia
7.
International Standard Book Number
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The International Standard Book Number is a unique numeric commercial book identifier. An ISBN is assigned to each edition and variation of a book, for example, an e-book, a paperback and a hardcover edition of the same book would each have a different ISBN. The ISBN is 13 digits long if assigned on or after 1 January 2007, the method of assigning an ISBN is nation-based and varies from country to country, often depending on how large the publishing industry is within a country. The initial ISBN configuration of recognition was generated in 1967 based upon the 9-digit Standard Book Numbering created in 1966, the 10-digit ISBN format was developed by the International Organization for Standardization and was published in 1970 as international standard ISO2108. Occasionally, a book may appear without a printed ISBN if it is printed privately or the author does not follow the usual ISBN procedure, however, this can be rectified later. Another identifier, the International Standard Serial Number, identifies periodical publications such as magazines, the ISBN configuration of recognition was generated in 1967 in the United Kingdom by David Whitaker and in 1968 in the US by Emery Koltay. The 10-digit ISBN format was developed by the International Organization for Standardization and was published in 1970 as international standard ISO2108, the United Kingdom continued to use the 9-digit SBN code until 1974. The ISO on-line facility only refers back to 1978, an SBN may be converted to an ISBN by prefixing the digit 0. For example, the edition of Mr. J. G. Reeder Returns, published by Hodder in 1965, has SBN340013818 -340 indicating the publisher,01381 their serial number. This can be converted to ISBN 0-340-01381-8, the check digit does not need to be re-calculated, since 1 January 2007, ISBNs have contained 13 digits, a format that is compatible with Bookland European Article Number EAN-13s. An ISBN is assigned to each edition and variation of a book, for example, an ebook, a paperback, and a hardcover edition of the same book would each have a different ISBN. The ISBN is 13 digits long if assigned on or after 1 January 2007, a 13-digit ISBN can be separated into its parts, and when this is done it is customary to separate the parts with hyphens or spaces. Separating the parts of a 10-digit ISBN is also done with either hyphens or spaces, figuring out how to correctly separate a given ISBN number is complicated, because most of the parts do not use a fixed number of digits. ISBN issuance is country-specific, in that ISBNs are issued by the ISBN registration agency that is responsible for country or territory regardless of the publication language. Some ISBN registration agencies are based in national libraries or within ministries of culture, in other cases, the ISBN registration service is provided by organisations such as bibliographic data providers that are not government funded. In Canada, ISBNs are issued at no cost with the purpose of encouraging Canadian culture. In the United Kingdom, United States, and some countries, where the service is provided by non-government-funded organisations. Australia, ISBNs are issued by the library services agency Thorpe-Bowker
8.
Emblem of Algeria
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The national emblem of Algeria is the seal used by the government, as other states use coats of arms. The current form of the emblem with Arabic writing was adopted on 1 November 1976, contained on the emblem is the crescent that is also found on the flag of Algeria, and is a symbol of Islam. The text that rings the emblem says in Arabic, الجمهورية الجزائرية الديمقراطية الشعبية, the hand of Fatima, a traditional symbol of the region, appears in front of the Atlas Mountains, below a rising sun representing a new era. Buildings stand for industry and plants for agriculture, official website of the Government of Algeria Algeria at national-symbol. com
9.
Emblem of Angola
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The emblem of Angola reflects the recent past of the new nation. There is heavy Marxist imagery found on the device, expanded from what is found on the national flag, in the center is a machete and hoe, representing the revolution through which the nation gained independence and the importance of agricultural workers. Above both emblems is a star that is found in many socialist images. The star is taken to represent progress, the rising sun is the traditional symbol of a new beginning. These emblems are all enclosed within a circle formed by a half cog-wheel that represents the workers. Since 1990, the text on the banner was changed to read República de Angola from República Popular de Angola, at the bottom is an open book that is to represent education. A banner reads Republic of Angola at the bottom, in Portuguese, details of the insignia are laid down in Article 163 of the Constitution of Angola. When Angola was a Portuguese colony and later a Portuguese province, Coat of arms of Angola In The World All Countries Coat of arms
10.
Coat of arms of Benin
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The coat of arms of Benin, originally introduced in 1964, was readopted in 1990 after being replaced in 1975. At the top of the emblem is the national crest that consists of two horns with corn in the ear and filled with sand and these are reputed to stand for prosperity. Below the crest is a shield that contains the coat of arms of Benin. The shield is broken into four quadrants, the top left quadrant contains a castle in the style of the Somba, representative of the history of Benin. In the top quadrant, is the Star of Benin. Below this is a ship, that stands for the arrival of Europeans in Benin, in the lower left quadrant is a palm tree. The shield is supported by a pair of leopards, the animal of Benin. Below the shield is the motto of Benin in French, in 1975, the Peoples Republic of Benin adopted a new coat of arms which reflected the countrys adherence to Marxism-Leninism. Coat of arms of Benin In The World All Countries Coat of arms
11.
Coat of arms of Botswana
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The coat of arms of Botswana was adopted on January 25,1966. The centre shield is supported by two zebras, the shape of the shield is that of traditional shields found in East Africa. On the top portion of the shield are three cogwheels that represent industry, the three waves symbolize water, and reminds the viewer of the motto of the nation, pula, which means simply rain, but also good luck, and is the name of the nations currency. This motto also highlights the importance of water to Botswana, the motto is found at the bottom of the coat of arms on a blue ribbon. At the bottom of the shield is the head of a bull, the two zebras also symbolise the importance of wildlife, through tourism, in the national economy. Also, zebra have black and white stripes which represent equality of people of all colors in Botswana, the zebra on the right holds an ear of sorghum, an important crop in the nation. The zebra on the left holds a tusk of ivory, symbolic of the ivory trade in Botswana. There is also view that ivory tusk represents wild life preservation, Botswana has one of the highest elephant populations in Africa. Guide to the Flags of the World by Mauro Talocci, revised and updated by Whitney Smith, p.165
12.
Coat of arms of Burundi
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The coat of arms of Burundi, adopted in 1966, consists of a shield surrounded by three spears. On the shield is the motto of the nation, as well as the head of a lion, behind the shield there are three crossed traditional African spears. Under the shield the motto of Burundi appears on a scroll, Unité, Travail. The number of spears was four, the national motto was Ganza Sabwa, which is in Kirundi and roughly means rules and reigns
13.
Coat of arms of Cameroon
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The coat of arms of Cameroon consists of a shield with a banner above and below it. Behind the shield are two crossed fasces, the shield has the same color pattern as the flag of Cameroon, and in the center is a map of the nation. The scales of justice are superimposed on top of the map of the nation, the banner at the bottom gives the name of the nation in French and English. The top banner contains the motto, Paix, Travail. The fasces are a symbol of the authority, and the scales of justice represent justice. The previous version of the arms had text in French only, with République du Cameroun – 1er Janvier 1960 on a scroll above the shield. The shield differed in that the green and yellow areas to left and right each had one large blue five-pointed star, in 1914, the German government decided to assign coats of arms to its overseas colonies, including Cameroon. Arms were designed, but World War I broke out before the project was finalised, giving the colonies their own insignia in time of war could let them have a symbol to rally around in case of rebellion. The arms proposed for the Imperial Colony of Cameroon depicted an elephants head, the eagle and the imperial crown on the shield was the same for all the proposed colonial arms. Flag of Cameroon Coats of arms of German colonies Media related to Coats of arms of Cameroon at Wikimedia Commons
14.
National emblem of Cape Verde
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The national emblem of Cape Verde contains a circle within which is written the name of the nation in Portuguese. Within the circle are a torch and triangle, symbols of freedom, at the top of the shield is a plumbob, a symbol of righteousness, three chain links are at the bottom. This emblem replaces the earlier variant with the seashell that had been in use since independence, the current emblem was adopted in 1992. On 8 May 1935, Portugal introduced a new coat of arms for its colonies, including Cape Verde, São Tomé and Principe, and Guinea-Bissau. The 1935 arms are described as follows, All arms were of the same model, the dexter was white with five small blue shields each bearing five white discs. In the base green and white waves to indicate the overseas location, to complete the badge, the arms were set upon a golden armillary sphere with a golden mural crown. On July 11,1951, a revised version was introduced. On the left in the red portion of the flag was the coat of arms and it featured a large black star, surrounded by a saffron-yellow and green maize wreath and a scallop shell in the centre, also of a saffron/amber colour. The current national emblem of Cape Verde was adopted in 1992 at the time as the national flag,17 years after the island nation became independent. The circle of the current emblem is ringed with ten stars, that represent the islands of Cape Verde, the plumbob symbolizes righteousness and uprightness which constitute the key vault of Cape Verdean constitution. The equilateral triangle symbolizes unity, equality and peoples civil rights recognized by the democratic system, the torch symbolizes freedom gained after many years of struggle. The palms symbolize victory won in the struggle for independence
15.
Coat of arms of the Central African Republic
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The coat of arms of the Central African Republic consists of a shield in the center, with two flags on its edges, and with a sun rising over the shield. Below and above the shield are banners, and there is the badge of the Order of Central African Merit located below the shield as well, ZO KWE ZO, the motto in Sango, means A man is a man or All people are people. The elephant and the tree represent nature and the backbone of the country. The gold star on a map of Africa symbolizes the position of the Central African Republic, the hand was the symbol of the dominant MESAN party in 1963 when the arms were adopted. The bottom left quarter holds three diamonds, which symbolize the mineral resources of the country, the medal under the shield is the honorific decoration of the Order of Central African Merit. An earlier version of the coat of arms had the words 1er DECEMBRE1958 written within the sun, coat of arms of the Central African Empire National Arms and Emblems Past and Present – Central African Republic
16.
Coat of arms of Chad
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The coat of arms of Chad was adopted in 1970. The center has a shield with jagged blue and yellow lines, the shield is supported by a goat and a lion. Below the shield is a medal and a scroll with the motto in French, Unité, Travail. The wavy lines on the shield are representative of Lake Chad, the goat on the left represents the northern part of the nation, while the southern part is represented by the lion. Dangling from the bottom of the shield is the medal for the National Order of Chad, flag of Chad Media related to Coats of arms of Chad at Wikimedia Commons
17.
Emblem of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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The arms of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has changed several times since 1997. The current one was introduced in 2006 and depicts a head, surrounded by an elephant tusk to the left. Below are the three words which make up the motto, Justice, Paix, Travail. It was adopted on February 18,2006 by President Joseph Kabila, the arms are described in detail in Section 1, Article 1 of the 2005 constitution. The old emblem, which was introduced in 2003, depicted three interlocked hands surrounded by a garland of corn, at the top is a lion head and at the bottom the motto Démocratie, Justice, Unité. The coat of arms of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1999 consists of a blue shield. In the middle is a star, above which there are six smaller stars. This coat of arms was introduced along with the flag, an even older arms from 1971 to 1997, when the nation was known as Zaire, depicted a leopard head, below it a pair of crossed spears, around it a branch and an elephant tusk. The words Paix, Justice, Travail are written on a band under the spears. This device was introduced on August 1,1964. Coats of arms of Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Coat of arms Heraldry
18.
Coat of arms of the Republic of the Congo
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The coat of arms of the Republic of the Congo has a shield with a rampant red lion holding a torch. The background color of the shield is yellow with a wavy stripe in the middle. A golden crown sits above the shield, two large African elephants support the shield. A banner with the national motto Unité Travail Progrès is draped from a bar supporting the elephants, the arms were adopted in 1960 and readopted in 1991 after having been replaced with a simpler, unheraldic symbol during the Peoples Republic of the Congo era from 1970–1991
19.
Emblem of Djibouti
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The national emblem of Djibouti was introduced after attaining independence from France on 27 June 1977. It is bordered on the sides with laurel branches, within this perimeter there is a vertical spear, in front of which is a shield. Underneath the shield, two hands rise away from the spear, both of which carry a large machete and these two hands symbolize the main two ethnic groups of the nation, the Afar and the Issa. The spear is topped by a red star, the star symbolizes the unity between the Issa and the Afar peoples. A Djibouti law established the seal and states its significance, and has translated into English
20.
Coat of arms of Egypt
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The coat of arms of Egypt is a golden eagle looking towards the viewers left. The Eagle of Saladin was first introduced as a symbol of the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, the current coat of arms was introduced during the Mubarak era, in 1984. In the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, the eagle became associated with the Mubarak regime, mehrez describes a stencilled graffiti depicting the Eagle of Saladin turned upside down as a call for the regimes downfall. The Eagle of Saladin holds a scroll on which the name of the state appears in Arabic script, the eagle carries on its breast a shield with the flags colors — but with a vertical instead of a horizontal configuration. When appearing on the flag, the eagle is rendered entirely in gold. Between 1972–1984 the eagle was replaced by the golden Hawk of Quraish, flag of Egypt Coat of arms of Iraq Heraldry Country coats of arms el Ansary, Nasser. LEncyclopédie des souverains dÉgypte des pharaons à nos jours, historical coats of arms of Egypt
21.
Coat of arms of Equatorial Guinea
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The national coat of arms of Equatorial Guinea was adopted on 21 August 1979. This coat of arms shows a shield, which contains a tree. This tree is a silk cotton tree, or so-called God tree and this is where the first treaty was signed between Portugal and the local ruler. Over the shield, there are six six-pointed stars and they stand for the mainland and the five main islands. Underneath the shield is the motto of Equatorial Guinea, Unidad, Paz. The motto was adopted in 1968
22.
Emblem of Eritrea
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The national emblem of Eritrea was adopted 24 May 1993 on the occasion of the declaration of independence from Ethiopia. The emblem mainly depicts a camel surrounded by a wreath of laurel, the modern emblem of Eritrea was adopted 24 May 1993, the date of the declaration of independence from Ethiopia. It shows a scene of a camel in the desert. The name of the country appears on a scroll towards the bottom of the threefold, in Tigrinya, English and Arabic. Eritrea was first assigned a coat of arms in 1919, when it was a colony of the Kingdom of Italy, the star has long been a symbol of the Italian people, known as the Stellone dItalia, which protects and guards the nation. The bottom portion displaying blue and white bars is a common heraldic depiction representing water. Eritrea is derived from the Latin Erythræa, the applied to the Red Sea in antiquity. During the Fascist regime of Italy, which began in 1924, the arms were augmented with symbols of the new government, a red chief was added in 1936, which was charged with fasces and laurel wreath. Eritrea was then absorbed into the colony of Italian East Africa in 1936, reducing it to a province of the new, the arms of Eritrea made up one field in the arms of Italian East Africa, but without the chief added in 1936. In 1941, when the province was conquered and placed under British administration, the fascist chief was removed, in 1951, the process of annexation by Ethiopia began, and the arms continued in use until the following year. During the annexation period, from 1952 to 1962, an emblem was adopted that consisted of an olive branch encircled by an olive wreath. This emblem is used still on the nations flag, emblems and coats of arms of African nations Eritrea Eritreas flag Coat of arms Heraldry
23.
Coat of arms of Gabon
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The coat of arms of Gabon was designed by the Swiss heraldist and vexillologist Louis Mühlemann, one of the founding members of the FIAV and also designer of the former coat of arms of Congo. It has been in use since 15 July 1963, the supporters of the symbol are panthers which symbolize the vigilance and courage of the president who protects the nation. The bezants in chief of the shield symbolize the mineral wealth of the country, the ship at the lower part represents Gabon moving towards a brighter future. According to Briggs, green represents the great dense forests, yellow, the sun, blue, the sea, and black, the okoumé tree at the top of the shield symbolizes the timber trade. The coat of arms is unusual in having two ribbons with mottos in two different languages, the ribbon below the shield has a motto in French UNION, TRAVAIL, JUSTICE. The second ribbon is placed beneath the branches of the tree and has a motto in Latin UNITI PROGREDIEMUR. Flag of Gabon Media related to Coats of arms of Gabon at Wikimedia Commons
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Coat of arms of the Gambia
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The coat of arms of The Gambia has been in use since 18 November 1964. It depicts two lions holding an axe and hoe, supporting a shield that depicts another pair of hoe and axe, atop the shield is set the heraldic helmet and an oil palm as a crest. At the bottom is the motto, Progress – Peace – Prosperity. The two lions represent the history of The Gambia as part of the British Empire. The crossed axe and hoe represent the importance of agriculture to The Gambia and they are also considered to represent the two major ethnic groups of The Gambia, the Mandinka and the Fulani. The crest, a tree, is also a vital national tree. The design was created by Nicholas Potin, a government employee with the Department of Surveys, flag of The Gambia Image of Gambian coat of arms
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Coat of arms of Ghana
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The coat of arms of Ghana was designed by Ghanaian artist Amon Kotei and was introduced on 4 March 1957. The first quarter, on the left shows a sword used by chiefs. It is a symbol for the authority of Ghana. The second quarter shows a representation of Osu Castle on the sea, the third quarter of the shield shows a cacao tree, which embodies the agricultural wealth of Ghana. The fourth quarter shows a mine, which stands for the richness of industrial minerals. A gold lion centred on a green St Georges Cross with gold fimbriation on the field of blue, the crest is a Black star of Africa with gold outline, upon a torse in the national colours. Supporting the shield are two golden Tawny eagles, with the Order of the Star of Ghana suspended from their necks, the compartment upon which the supporters stand is composed of a grassy field, under which a scroll bears the national motto of Ghana, Freedom and Justice. Media related to Coats of arms of Ghana at Wikimedia Commons
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Coat of arms of Guinea
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The present coat of arms of Guinea was adopted in 1993. The Guinean coat of arms features a dove with an olive branch in its beak over a ribbon with Work justice solidarity. The arms formerly also included a sword and rifle. A former coat of arms in 1960 features a red and yellow shield with an elephant on it. Coat of arms of Guinea in the Flags of the World website
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Emblem of Guinea-Bissau
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The national emblem of Guinea-Bissau was adopted shortly after independence from Portugal in 1973. Featured prominently is a star, that is part of traditional Pan-African symbolism. A seashell at the bottom unites two symmetrical olive branches, the sea shell is symbolism for the location of the country on the West coast of Africa. The red banner contains the motto of Guinea-Bissau, that translates to English as Unity, Struggle
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Coat of arms of Ivory Coast
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The coat of arms of Côte dIvoire in its current form was adopted in 1964. The focal point of the emblem is the head of an elephant, the elephant is symbolically important to the nation, since it is the largest animal found in Côte dIvoire as well as being the source of ivory for which the nation is named. The rising sun is a symbol of a new beginning. Below the elephant head is a banner containing the name of the nation, at dexter and sinister two trees Or and the Argent inscription « République de Côte dIvoire » on Or strip. The Coat of arms of the Republic act, as a means of identification for the Republic, the coat of arms of the Republic of Côte dIvoire has evolved between 1960 and today. As defined by governmental decree, only the arms of 1964 should be used, the use of arms other than those of 1964, reaffirmed in 2011 and still in force, is considered incorrect
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Coat of arms of Kenya
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The coat of arms of Kenya features two lions, a symbol of protection, holding spears and a traditional East African shield. The shield and spears symbolize unity and defence of freedom, the shield contains the national colours, representing, Black for the people of Kenya Green for the agriculture and natural resources Red for the struggle for freedom White for unity and peace. Rooster holding an axe - According to the Luo and Luhya traditions, at the roosters crow, everyone wakes up and begins work before the dawn. The rooster is also one of the few animals that seldom moves backwards, the rooster holding an axe while moving forward portrays authority, the will to work, success, and the break of a new dawn. It is also the symbol of Kenya Africa National Union party that led the country to independence, the shield and lions stand on a silhouette of Mount Kenya containing in the foreground examples of Kenya agricultural produce - coffee, pyrethrum, sisal, tea, maize and pineapples. The coat of arms is supported by a scroll upon which is written the word Harambee, in Swahili, Harambee means pulling together or all for one. It is the cry of the fishermen as they draw their nets towards the shore, the same word is echoed by everyone when a collective effort is made for the common good, such as helping a family in need, or the construction of a school or a church. The shield contains the colours, black, green and red. The middle red strip bears a cockerel holding an axe, the scroll containing the National Motto Harambee. On a maasai shield per fess Sable and Vert, on a fess Gules fimbriated Argent a cock grasping in the foot a axe of the same. Supporters, On either side a lion Or armed and langued Gules, grasping in the interior forepaw a spear of estate Proper, the shafts of the spears gules crossing in saltire behind the shield. The whole upon a compartment representing Mount Kenya proper containing in the examples of Kenya agricultural produce – coffee, pyrethrum, sisal, tea, maize. The scroll which was color brown containing the National Motto, Harambee, coat of arms of Kenyan Counties http, //arkafrica. com/projects/kenya-coat-arms
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Coat of arms of Lesotho
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The coat of arms of Lesotho was adopted on 4 October 1968 following independence. Pictured is a crocodile on a Basotho shield and this is the symbol of the dynasty of Lesothos largest ethnicity, the Sotho. Behind the shield there are two crossed weapons, an assegai and a knobkierie, to the left and right of the shield are supporters of the shield, two Basutho horses. In the foreground there is a ribbon with the motto of Lesotho, Khotso. The crocodile on the shield has been retained from the arms of Basutoland, flags of the World - Lesotho, Coats of Arms
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Coat of arms of Liberia
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The coat of arms of Liberia consists of a shield containing a picture of 19th century ship arriving in Liberia. The ship symbolizes the ships brought the freed slaves from the United States to Liberia. The plow and the shovel represent the dignity of labor and hard work through which the nation will prosper, the rising sun in the background represents the birth of a nation. The palm tree, the nations most versatile source of food, the white dove with a scroll represents the breath of peace
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Coat of arms of Libya
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Since the collapse of the Gaddafi regime in the Libyan Civil War, Libya currently does not have an official coat of arms. The Constitutional Declaration issued by the National Transitional Council on August 2011 defines the flag of Libya, a new biometric Libyan passport was revealed in February 2013. The cover of the new passport depicts a Star and crescent as its central feature, the emblem of the Kingdom of Libya, known as the Crown of Libya, was used from 1952-1969. The constitution of the Kingdom of Libya of 1952 in article 7 describes the flag, no official description is available at present, and the design is reconstructed from many variants in shape and color schemes. The star studded base and frame contain a black head cover like object. The Upper crown is supported at its base by two ornate plantar designs, in the form of three intertwined C and S scroll shapes, two massive Shoulder frames contain the body of the crown from the right and left. The background color of the large interior below the crown can be white or transparent. The background color of the region surrounding the large white crescent. A white ring with black borders, surrounds the center large white crescent. Nine five-pointed white stars surround the center ring, five pointed star located well above the perimeter of the crescent. This differs from the flag, which places the star at the extremities of the crescent, a lower crown, seated above the ring containing the central crescent and star. Its design is identical to the crown, except for being smaller in size. Plantar/ floral ornamentation similar to #2 above, providing variation and connectivity to the base, at the base, an ornate design that resembles a document scroll with a ring tie at its center. It is noted that the scheme of the crown is most likely white for the stars and crescents, black and white for spaces. The upward-pointing white crescent and star on black background is taken from the banner of the Senussi dynasty. On Libyas exit from the Federation in 1977, the Hawk of the Quraish was retained, the hawk was also changed to face in the other direction. The phrase اتحاد الجمهوريات العربية still remained written on the banner clutched in the feet of the hawk, the interim Prime Ministers office and departments of the interim government used a different seal. The main charge of this emblem is a map of Libya in the design of the Libyan flag
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Seal of Madagascar
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The seal of Madagascar includes an outline map of the island at the center, and below it the head of a Zebu. Colors used include red, green, yellow, black, green and red rays emanate from the States map, making it look like the Sun and also the Ravenala, a plant typical of Madagascar. Various versions of the Constitution Article 4 have used other mottos, FOTW page about Madagascars coat of arms National Arms and Emblems Past and Present Annex of the constitution COA of the Kingdom of Merina
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Coat of arms of Mali
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The coat of arms of Mali is a national emblem consisting of a circle charged with a bird at the top, a mosque in the centre flanked by two bows and arrows, and the rising sun at the bottom. Adopted thirteen years after the country gained independence, it has been the seal of the Republic of Mali since 1973 and it is utilized on official documents as a coat of arms. Mali gained independence in August 1960, when it separated from Senegal and became an independent country on its own, a seal for Mali was designed soon afterwards, which is almost identical to the current seal save for the colour scheme. It featured a red circle surrounded by a green border, the current seal was officially adopted 20 October 1973, under Ordinance no.56 of the CMLN. It is utilized on official documents in place of a coat of arms, the colours and objects on the seal carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The mosque depicted at the centre of the seal is the Great Mosque of Djenné and it represents Islam, the countrys majority religion—practised by 94. 8% of the population. Featured above the structure is a bird – the species it belongs to is disputed, although the 1973 ordinance gives the description that it is a legendary vulture originating from Malian folklore, other sources claim it is actually a dove that symbolizes peace. The Djenné mosque is flanked by two bows and arrows, with the rising sun pictured at the very bottom, the countrys motto—One People, One Goal, One Faith —is exactly the same as Senegals. It is featured on that coat of arms as well
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Seal of Mauritania
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The seal of Mauritania is based on the national flag of Mauritania adopted on April 1,1959. The colours of green and gold are considered Pan-African colours, green is also to symbolize Islam, and the gold for the sands of the Sahara desert. The crescent and star are symbols of Islam, the religion in the nation. The edges read Islamic Republic of Mauritania in Arabic and French
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Coat of arms of Mauritius
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The coat of arms of Mauritius are stipulated in the Mauritius Laws 1990 Vol.2 SCHEDULE. The arms were designed by the Mayor of Johannesburg in 1906, in the lower right quarter is a key and on the left-hand side is a white star, which are referred to in the Latin motto “Stella Clavisque Maris Indici” meaning “Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. The armorial ensigns and supporters of Mauritius are described as, for arms- Quarterly azure, in the first quarter a lymphad or. In the second,3 palm trees vert, in the third, a key in pale the wards downwards gules. In the issuant, from the base a pile, and in chief a mullet argent
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Emblem of Mozambique
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The national emblem of Mozambique was adopted in 1990 in the Constitution of Mozambique article 194. The Article clearly states the design and meaning of the device and it shows a gear wheel, bordered by corn stalks and sugarcane. In the middle there is a red sun over a map of Mozambique in green, and blue waves, an AK-47 crossed with a hoe, the wreath is tied with a ribbon bearing the name of the country. The emblem is socialist heraldry style similar to those of the Soviet republics, along with this change of colour, the position of the wreath was changed, the text was changed from black to gold, and a gold border was added around the red star. Below the map the ocean shall be represented, in the center shall be the rising sun, symbol of the building of a new life. Enclosing all this shall be a toothed wheel, symbolizing labor, surrounding the toothed wheel there shall be, to the right and left respectively, an ear of maize and a piece of sugar cane, symbolizing agricultural wealth. At the bottom there shall be a red strip with the inscription Republic of Mozambique
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Coat of arms of Namibia
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The coat of arms of Namibia is the official heraldic symbol of Namibia. Introduced at the time of independence in 1990, it superseded the earlier coat of arms used by the South African administration of the territory. The Constituent Assembly which drew up the Namibian Constitution in 1989 appointed a National Symbols Sub-Committee to produce a flag, the committee enlisted the assistance of the South African Bureau of Heraldry. After approving the flag, the decided to use the same design as the coat of arms, with the addition of an African fish eagle for a crest. The Welwitschia mirabilis on the compartment was taken over from the arms of South-West Africa. Crest, Upon a traditional head-ring Vert charged with six lozenges conjoined Or, compartment, A Namib sand dune with a Welwitschia mirabilis on the foreground. In 1914, the German Empire government decided to assign coats of arms to German colonies, arms were designed, but World War I broke out before the project was finalised, and the arms were never taken into use. The arms proposed for German South-West Africa depicted an Afrikaner bulls head, a diamond, in 1958, the South-West African administration decided that the territory should have an official coat of arms. After obtaining South African government approval, the administration engaged Dr Coenraad Beyers to design the arms and they were finalised in 1961, taken into use in 1963, and registered at the Bureau of Heraldry in 1964. The arms were discontinued when South-West Africa was reconstituted into a system of government in 1980. The Administration for Whites took over the arms in 1981, crest, A gemsbok statant gardant proper. Supporters, Dexter a springbok and sinister a kudu, both proper, resting on a knoll, with a growing Welwitschia mirabilis in the foreground proper. The National Symbols of Namibia South African Heraldry Website
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Coat of arms of Niger
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The coat of arms of Niger shows a four-part flag draping in the national colors orange, white, and green. In the middle, the seal is arranged. On a white or gold shield the four symbols are shown. In the middle, there is a sun, to the left there is a spear with two crossed Tuareg swords, to the right are three pearl millet heads and underneath is the frontal view of a zebu head. Under the coat of arms, there is a ribbon bearing the name of the country in French, while the constitution of Niger stipulates the color of the symbols upon the shield, there is no uniformity on the color of the shield. Sinople is analogous to Vert in heraldry, but official buildings, embassies and official documents use white, with gold emblems. The website of the President of Niger uses gold or yellow with gold or black emblems. The National Assembly of Niger meets below a coat of arms with the shield coloured gold. There have been several meanings proposed for the colours of the Nigerien nation, commonly, these meanings are described as Orange, stands for the Sahara Desert on the northern border of the country. Green, stands for the plains in the south and west. For the Niger State it additionally symbolizes the Savanna region
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Coat of arms of Nigeria
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The coat of arms of Nigeria has a black shield with two white lines that form in a Y shape. The black shield represents Nigerias fertile soil, while the two horses or chargers on each side represent dignity, the eagle represents strength, while the green and white bands on the top of the shield represent the rich soil. The red flowers at the base are Costus spectabilis, Nigerias national flower and this flower was chosen for inclusion in the coat of arms as it is found all over Nigeria and also stand for the beauty of the nation. The white wavy pall represents the Niger and the Benue, on the banderole around the base is Nigerias national motto since 1978, Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress. Sable a Pall wavy argent, supported by two horses Argent, and set for a crest on a wreath, Argent and Vert, seal of the President of Nigeria Nigeria Heraldry History
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Seal of Rwanda
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The seal of Rwanda is the national symbol and used by the government. It was restyled in 2001 to match the scheme of the new national flag. The text reads Republic of Rwanda - Unity, Work, Patriotism in Kinyarwanda, the central tribal devices are surmounted on a cog wheel and encircled by a square knot. The details of the seal are laid out in Article 3 of the Constitution of Rwanda, the previous emblem dated from the 1960s-the colors green, yellow and red represented peace, the nations hope for future development, and the people. The device and the flag itself were changed because they had associated with the brutality of the Rwandan Genocide. Images of the emblems of Rwanda National Arms and Emblems Past
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Coat of arms of Senegal
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Adopted five years after Senegal gained independence, it has been the coat of arms of the Republic of Senegal since 1965. Both symbols on the shield had featured previously on earlier Senegalese emblems, Senegal gained independence on 20 August 1960, when it separated from the Mali Federation and became an independent country on its own. It took approximately five years to before Senegal adopted its own coat of arms and it was designed by Suzanne Gauthier, a French heraldist from Paris, in 1965. It incorporated the lion and the baobab tree - both symbols were previously utilised on earlier Senegalese emblems, the colours and objects on the coat of arms carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The green star at the crest is identical to the one on Senegals flag and it alludes to Islam, the religion practiced by 94% of Senegals population. The dexter of the features a lion. A national symbol of Senegal, it stands for strength and represents the northern Senegalese ethnic group, historically it was a symbol of power for kings, before the French colonised Senegal. On the arms sinister, a tree is depicted, which is native to Senegal. Located just beneath it is a wavy line that epitomises the Senegal River. The order underneath the escutcheon is that of the National Order of the Lion, both the lion and the baobab tree, which featured previously on earlier Senegalese emblems, are now utilised on the countrys two seals. The countrys motto—One People, One Goal, One Faith —is exactly the same as Malis
