Monegasque heraldry

The heraldry of Monaco, a state of just two-square kilometers, is dominated by the royal heraldry of the ruling family, the House of Grimaldi. Its dynastic head, Albert II, utilises the same arms borne by his ancestors. The ruler does not regularly award titles; indeed, it has not happened at all in the last two reigns.[1]

Albert II, Prince of Monaco, head of the House of Grimaldi
BlazonFusily argent and gules
MottoDEO JUVANTE

Coat of arms of Monaco

The coat of arms of Monaco, blazoned Fusily argent and gules, is shown supported by two armed monks. These reflect the original conquest of Monaco by the Grimaldi family.[1]

In full, it is defined as:[2]

The shield lozengy argent and gules, surrounded by the collar of the Order of Saint-Charles, is placed on a red coat lined with ermine, surmonted by the princely crown. Supporters: Two Friars Minor hairy, bearded and wearing shoes, each of them holding a raised sword, standing on a scroll charged with the motto: DEO JUVANTE (with God's help).

The motto, Deo Juvante, dates back to Lambert Grimaldi d'Antibes (1420–1494).

The coat of arms is used on the princely flag of Monaco (variously "princely standard", "government flag", "state flag and ensign, war flag and ensign"[3]) as the central charge on a white background, under Article 7 of the Monegasque Constitution, which reads "The Princely flag shall be made of the arms of the House of Grimaldi on a white background".[4] The civil flag utilises red and white, the heraldic colours of the House of Grimaldi.[3]

Orders

There are several orders of the Monegasque crown: the Order of Saint Charles (created 15 March 1858); the Order of Cultural Merit (created 31 December 1952); the Order of Grimaldi (created 18 May 1954) and the Order of the Crown (created 20 July 1960). With the exception of the Order of Cultural Merit, the Prince of Monaco is head of each order as its Grand-Master.[1]

References
  1. François Velde (2006). "Monaco (National Heraldry)". Heraldica. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  2. The original French text: "Armoiries de la Maison Grimaldi". Palais Princier de Monaco (in French). Archived from the original on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010. L'écu, fuselé d'argent et de gueules et entouré du Collier de l'Ordre de Saint-Charles, est placé sur un manteau rouge doublé d'hermine, sommé de la Couronne princière. Tenants : deux Frères Mineurs chevelus, barbus et chaussés, portant chacun une épée levée, debout sur une banderole, avec la devise : DEO JUVANTE (avec l'aide de Dieu).
    Translation: Monaco at Flags of the World. Retrieved on 2 January 2010.
  3. Monaco at Flags of the World. Retrieved on 2 January 2010.
  4. The original French text:"Constitution de la Principauté". Principauté de Monaco, Ministère d'État (in French). Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2010. Art. 7. - Le pavillon princier se compose des armes de la Maison des Grimaldi sur fond blanc.
    Translation: Monaco at Flags of the World. Retrieved on 2 January 2010.
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