Coat of arms of Saint Helena

Coat of Arms of Saint Helena

The Coat of Arms of Saint Helena were authorised on January 30, 1984.

The Arms feature a shield, with the top third showing the plover Charadrius sanctaehelenae, known locally as the Wirebird - stylized, but with its unmistakeable head pattern. The bottom two thirds depict a coastal scene of the islands, a sailing ship with the mountainous islands in the background. The coastal scene is taken from the colonial seal of the colony. The crest is a woman holding a cross and a flower. This represents Helena of Constantinople, also known as Saint Helena, after whom the Island may be named (see Saint Helena article). The cross is shown as Helena is credited with finding the relics of the True Cross (cross upon which Jesus was crucified).

The motto is Loyal and unshakable.

The Arms are not used by Saint Helena's dependencies. Tristan da Cunha uses its own arms, while Ascension Island uses the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.

The shield of the arms feature on the Flag of Saint Helena and the Governor's flag.

See also

• List of coats of arms of the United Kingdom and dependencies

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