Coat of arms of Seychelles

The coat of arms of the Republic of Seychelles shows a shield, in which a giant tortoise is located on green grounds. On the ground there is a coco de mer palm tree. Behind it there is a blue sea with two islands and a sail ship to be seen. The shield is enthroned by a silver helmet, on which a white-tailed tropicbird is located above blue and white waves. The shield is supported by two white sailfish. Beneath the shield the motto of Seychelles is stated: "Finis Coronat Opus" (a phrase traditionally attributed to Ovid[1]) (Latin for "The End Crowns the Work").[2]

Coat of arms of the Republic of Seychelles
Versions
1976-1996
ArmigerRepublic of Seychelles
Adopted27 May 1976, 18 June 1996
CrestAbove water barry wavy Azure and Argent a White Tailed Tropic Bird (Phaeton lepturus lepturus) volant proper.
TorseAzure, Or, Gules, Argent and Vert
BlazonAzure, a Female Sea coconut palm (Lodoicea maldivica) issuant from the base a grassy mount thereon a Giant Tortoise (Testudo gigantea) the whole in front of water rising therefrom to the dexter an Island and sailing thereon a two-masted Schooner in full sail all proper.
SupportersOn either side a Sail Fish (Istiophorus gladius) proper
MottoFINIS CORONAT OPUS
"The End Crowns the Work"

History

First coat of arms

After the separation of Seychelles from the Mauritius in 1903, a new badge for Seychelles was adopted.[3] The new badge was designed by Major-General Charles George Gordon.[4] The badge consisted of a disc with a picture of the coast of Mahé with a Coco de mer on the shore, some shrubs and a giant Tortoise . On a listel in the base is the motto Finis Coronat Opvs.[3]

Second coat of arms

The second coat of arms was embellished and augmented in 1961. The coat of arms was designed by Mrs. Alec McEwen of Toronto.[5] On the coat of arms, a second island was added, symbolizing the other 114 islands of the archipelago. In the ocean, a schooner symbolizes the traffic between the islands. Around the badge is a bordure with stylized waves and the title and the motto of the colony.[3]

Current coat of arms

First variant

The current coat of arms was given by the Royal Warrant of Queen Elizabeth II, dated 27 May 1976.[3]

Second variant

On 18 June 1996, by the National Symbols Act of 1996, the colour of the coat of arms were changed to a brighter color. The most significant change was the change of the torse on the helmet, from white-blue-red (based on the older Seychellois flag), to blue-yellow-red-white-green (the color of the current flag of Seychelles).[6]

Current official description

The coat of arms of Seychelles is officially described as follows:[6]

ARMS: Azure a Female Coco de Mer Palm (Lodoicea maldivica) issuant from in base a grassy mount thereon a Giant Tortoise (Testudo gigantea) the whole in front of water rising therefrom to the dexter an Island and sailing thereon a two-masted Schooner in full sail all proper.

CREST: Upon a Wreath Azure, Or, Gules and Vert above water barry wavy Azure and Argent a White Tailed Tropic Bird (Phaethon lepturus lepturus) volant proper.

SUPPORTERS: On either side a Sail Fish (Istiophorus gladius) proper.

MOTTO: FINIS CORONAT OPUS

  • 1903-1961
  • 1961-1976
  • 1976-1996
  • Current version

References
  1. Wiktionary: finis coronat opus
  2. "Government of Seychelles - National Ceremony & Symbols". egov.sc.
  3. de Vries, Hubert (December 23, 2008). "SEYCHELLES". www.hubert-herald.nl. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  4. Grieve, Martin (December 6, 2009). "Seychelles - Colonial flags". fotw.info. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  5. Janicki, Ann (April 28, 2005). "Detail of badge (1961-1976)". fotw.info. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  6. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (June 18, 1996). "New National Symbols of the Republic of Seychelles" (PDF). www.mfa.gov.sc. Retrieved August 23, 2018.

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