Coat of arms of Belize facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coat of arms of Belize |
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| Armiger | Elizabeth II, Queen of Belize |
| Adopted | 1981 |
| Crest | A mahogany tree proper |
| Blazon | Party per pall inverted, 1st Argent a paddle and a squaring axe proper in saltire 2nd Or a saw and beating axe proper in saltire 3rd per fess bleu celeste and barry wavy or vert azure above the last a sailing ship proper |
| Supporters | Dexter a Caucasian woodsman proper garbed in trousers argent bearing in the dexter hand a beating axe proper, sinister an African woodsman proper garbed in trousers argent bearing in the sinister hand a paddle proper |
| Compartment | A grassy field proper |
| Motto | SUB UMBRA FLOREO "Under the shade I flourish" |
| Other elements | The whole surrounded by a wreath of 25 leaves proper |
The Coat of Arms of Belize is a very important national symbol. It started being used when Belize became an independent country in 1981. The design you see today is almost the same as the one used when Belize was a British colony.
This special symbol tells a story about Belize's past. It shows what was important to the country's economy and how people lived a long time ago.
Contents
What Does the Coat of Arms Show?
The Coat of Arms is full of interesting details. Each part has a special meaning related to Belize's history and natural resources.
The Main Design
The entire design is surrounded by a circle of twenty-five green leaves. This wreath of leaves frames the main picture.
Inside this circle, you can see a large mahogany tree. Mahogany was a very important tree for Belize. It was a key part of the country's economy in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Below the tree, there are different tools used by woodcutters. You can see a paddle, a squaring axe, a saw, and a beating axe. These tools show how important logging and working with wood were. There is also a sailing ship, which reminds us of how the wood was transported.
The Woodcutters and Their Tools
The shield in the center of the Coat of Arms is held up by two woodcutters. These men represent the people who worked hard in the mahogany forests. They are from different backgrounds, showing the diverse people of Belize.
The woodcutter on the left side is holding an axe. The woodcutter on the right side is holding an oar. These tools again highlight the importance of mahogany. The axe was used for cutting down trees. The oar was used for moving logs down rivers or for boat building.
The National Motto
At the very bottom of the Coat of Arms, there is a ribbon with the national motto. The motto is written in Latin: SUB UMBRA FLOREO.
This Latin phrase means "Under the Shade I Flourish". It refers to the mahogany tree. It also symbolizes how Belize has grown and prospered, even under the "shade" or protection of its large forests.
Where Can You See the Coat of Arms?
The Coat of Arms of Belize is a very visible symbol. You can see it in many important places. The most common place to find it is right in the center of the Flag of Belize. It is also used on official government documents and buildings.
See also
In Spanish: Escudo de Belice para niños
