Coat of arms of the Cayman Islands facts for kids

The Cayman Islands’ coat of arms is a special symbol for the islands. It tells a story about their history, their connection to the sea, and their ties to other places. This important symbol has a shield, a helmet with a design on top (called a crest), and a motto.

The official Coat of Arms of the Cayman Islands.

Understanding the Cayman Islands' Coat of Arms

The coat of arms is like a special picture that represents the Cayman Islands. It was officially approved in 1958. It shows important parts of the islands' past and what they stand for.

The Shield's Story

The main part of the coat of arms is the shield. It has two main sections:

• The bottom part of the shield has three green stars. These stars stand for the three islands where people live: Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac.
• Under the stars, there are blue and white wavy lines. These lines represent the sea that surrounds the islands.
• The top part of the shield has a red background. On this red background, there is a gold lion. This lion is walking and looking forward. It represents Britain, showing the islands' connection to the UK.

Above the Shield: The Crest

Above the shield, there is a special design called a crest. This crest also tells a story:

• You can see a green turtle on top of a coiled rope. The turtle reminds us of the islands' long history with the sea and sailing.
• The rope represents the traditional industry of making rope from thatch. This was an important job for many people on the islands.
• Behind the turtle, there is a gold pineapple. The pineapple shows the islands' historical ties with Jamaica.

The Meaning of the Motto

At the very bottom of the coat of arms, there is a motto. A motto is a short phrase that expresses a belief or goal. The Cayman Islands' motto is: He hath founded it upon the seas.

• This motto comes from a verse in the Bible, Psalm 24, Verse 2.
• It shows the islands' Christian heritage.
• It also highlights how important the sea is to the islands. The islands were built and developed because of their connection to the ocean.

How the Coat of Arms Was Chosen

The idea for a coat of arms for the Cayman Islands started in 1957.

• The Legislative Assembly, which is like the islands' government, approved the idea.
• They asked people living on the islands for their ideas on what the design should look like.
• Finally, Queen Elizabeth II officially approved the design on May 14, 1958. This made it the official symbol of the Cayman Islands.

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