Adopted 1983 | Torse Argent and Azure | |
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Armiger Elizabeth II in Right of Saint Kitts and Nevis Crest On a helmet lambrequined Or and Sable, a torch Vert with flames proper held by a black and a white hand proper. Escutcheon Argent, a chevron Gules between two flowers of the Poinciana in chief and a schooner in base proper, and a chief Azure the head of a Carib proper, between a fleur de lys Or and a Rose Argent seeded Gules. Supporters Two pelicans, the dexter one holding a palm tree the sinister one a stalk of sugar cane. | ||
The Saint Kitts and Nevis coat of arms was adopted in 1983 and possesses the motto "Country Above Self". The previous coat of arms, adopted in 1967 used while in federation with the island of Anguilla was nearly identical, except for coloration and the motto "Unity in Trinity".
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. 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.