The coat of arms

Coat of arms

A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...

 of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...

was adopted on September 21, 1981, one year and five months after the national flag

Flag of Zimbabwe

The flag of Zimbabwe was adopted on April 18, 1980. The soapstone bird featured on the flag represents a statuette of a bird found at the ruins of Great Zimbabwe...

 was adopted.

Description

The coat of arms depicts two kudu

Kudu

The kudus are two species of antelope of the genus Tragelaphus:*Lesser Kudu, Tragelaphus imberbis*Greater Kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros- Etymology :...

s on the left and right, each standing on top of an earthly mound composed of stalks of wheat

Wheat

Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...

, a pile of cotton

Cotton

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....

, and a head of maize

Maize

Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...

. At their feet there is also a banner emblazoned with the Zimbabwean national motto (Unity, Freedom, Work). The shield

Shield

A shield is a type of personal armor, meant to intercept attacks, either by stopping projectiles such as arrows or redirecting a hit from a sword, mace or battle axe to the side of the shield-bearer....

 itself is green, featuring 14 waves of alternating white and blue waved lines at top (chief argent), and also at the center of the shield

Shield

A shield is a type of personal armor, meant to intercept attacks, either by stopping projectiles such as arrows or redirecting a hit from a sword, mace or battle axe to the side of the shield-bearer....

 a representation of the ancient Kingdom of Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe is a ruined city that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe, which existed from 1100 to 1450 C.E. during the country’s Late Iron Age. The monument, which first began to be constructed in the 11th century and which continued to be built until the 14th century, spanned an...

 is shown. Placed behind the shield are an agricultural hoe (to the left) and an automatic rifle (to the right.

Meanings

The meanings of the Zimbabwean coat of arms are as follows:

• Kudus: the unity of Zimbabwe's various ethnic groups
• Earthly Mound with plants: the need to always provide for the Zimbabweans
• Motto Banner: the need to maintain national unity and the preservation of freedom
• Green Shield: the fertility of the country's soil and water
• Great Zimbabwe: the historical heritage of the nation
• Hoe and Rifle: Celebrates the struggle for peace and democracy, as well as the proud work-ethic of the Zimbabwean people. They also symbolise the transition from war to peace.
• Strips of Silk of gold and green: the national financial enterprise and the protection of the economy
• Red Star: hope for the future of Zimbabwe. Conveys the revolutionary nature of the 1980 achievement majority rule, and the struggle towards a fair, equal society.
• Great Zimbabwe Bird: national identity
• Blue and White Wavy Lines: Victoria Falls, water which brings prosperity.

See also

• Coat of arms of Rhodesia
  Coat of arms of Rhodesia
  The coat of arms of Rhodesia was first used for the self-governing British colony of Southern Rhodesia in 1923, known simply as Rhodesia after 1964.Official authorisation by Royal Warrant for the Coat of Arms was granted on 11 August 1924....