Coat of Arms of Haiti facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Coat of arms of Haiti
Armiger	Republic of Haiti
Adopted	1986
Blazon	A palm tree surmounted by a liberty cap on a stake, proper
Supporters	A trophy of six rifles, six civil flags, two axes, two bugles, and a drum between two cannons pointing outwards on their gun-carriages, thereon two powder-bags, on the dexter one an infantry-hat, on the sinister one a cavalry-hat, between two piles of cannonballs and two anchors, all proper
Compartment	A grassy ground, marked by two pennons, proper
Motto	L'Union fait la force (French for 'Unity makes strength')

The coat of arms of Haiti is a special symbol for the country of Haiti. It's like a national badge that represents the Republic of Haiti. This symbol first appeared in 1807. The design you see today has been used since 1986. Because it doesn't follow all the old rules for a traditional coat of arms, some people call it the national emblem of Haiti instead.

What the Coat of Arms Looks Like

The Haitian coat of arms shows six flags of the country. Three flags are on each side. They are placed behind a palm tree and cannons. All of this sits on a green lawn.

On the lawn, you can see different items. These include a drum, bugles, cannonballs, and ship anchors. Above the palm tree, there is a red cap called a liberty cap. This cap is a strong symbol of freedom.

A ribbon at the bottom carries the motto L'Union fait la force (French for 'Unity makes strength'). This means "Unity makes strength" in French. Many other countries also use this motto. It's important not to confuse this with Haiti's official national motto. According to the Constitution of Haiti, the national motto is Liberté, égalité, fraternité. This means 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity' in French.

A Look at Its History

The very first symbol used for Haiti appeared in 1807. This early symbol also showed national flags, cannons, and palm trees. It was meant to represent Haiti's fight for independence. The motto, in French, meant 'Strength through unity'.

The use of this symbol was paused twice. One time was when Henri I became King of Haiti. He adopted his own Royal Coat of Arms. This royal symbol had a phoenix rising from flames on a yellow shield. It also had the motto Je renais de mes cendres, meaning "I will rise in my ashes". Two lions with crowns supported the shield. Another motto, Dieu ma cause et mon épée (God, my cause and my sword), was at the bottom.

In 1814, King Henri I made a small change to his Royal Arm. He removed the lions and changed the motto to a Latin one: Ex cineribus nascitur, which means "Reborn from the ashes".

Another change happened in 1849. President General Faustin Soulouque crowned himself Emperor Faustin I. He created new Imperial arms. These showed two cannons and a French imperial eagle. Again, two lions were used as supporters. The whole design was placed inside a purple cloak. The motto was similar to Henri I's: Dieu, ma patrie et mon épée (God, my country and my sword).

Emperor Faustin I was forced to leave the country in 1859. After he left, the original symbol was brought back. Since then, the main design has stayed the same. However, the colors and some small details have changed over time.

You can find the current coat of arms on the national flag of Haiti. But it is not on Haiti's civil flag, which is a simpler version of the flag.

Past Coats of Arms

Colonial Times

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  Coat of arms before the French Revolution (1625–1803)

After Independence

• 

  Coat of arms of the First Empire of Haiti (1804-1806)

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  Coat of arms of the State of Haiti (1807–1811)

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  Coat of arms of the Republic of Haiti (1806–1820) and Republic of Haiti (1820–1849)

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  Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Haiti (1811–1814)

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  Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Haiti (1814–1820)

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  Coat of arms of the Second Empire of Haiti (1849–1859)

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  Coat of arms of the Republic of Haiti (1859–1964)

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  Coat of arms used by Duvalier (1964–1986)

See also

In Spanish: Escudo de Haití para niños

• Flag of Haiti
• Seal and emblem of the United States Department of the Army