Coat of arms of Kenya
| Coat of arms of Kenya | |
|---|---|
.svg.png) | |
| Details | |
| Armiger | Republic of Kenya |
| Adopted | 1963 |
| Escutcheon | On a maasai shield per fess Sable and Vert, on a fess Gules fimbriated Argent a cock grasping in the dexter foot an axe of the same |
| Supporters | On either side a lion Or armed and langued Gules, grasping in the interior forepaw a spear of estate Proper, the shafts of the spears gules crossing in saltire behind the shield |
| Compartment | The whole upon a compartment representing Mount Kenya proper containing in the foreground examples of Kenya agricultural produce – coffee, pyrethrum, sisal, tea, maize and pineapples. The scroll which was color brown containing the National Motto |
| Motto |
Harambee (Let's pull together in Swahili) |
The coat of arms of Kenya features two lions, a symbol of protection, holding spears and a traditional East African shield. The shield and spears symbolize unity and defence of freedom. The shield contains the national colours, representing:[1]
- Black for the people of Kenya
- Green for the agriculture and natural resources
- Red for the struggle for freedom
- White for unity and peace.
On the shield is a rooster holding an axe while moving forward, portraying authority, the will to work, success, and the break of a new dawn. It is also the symbol of Kenya African National Union (KANU) party that led the country to independence.
The shield and lions stand on a silhouette of Mount Kenya containing in the foreground examples of Kenya agricultural produce - coffee, pyrethrum, sisal, tea, maize and pineapples.
The coat of arms is supported by a scroll upon which is written the word 'Harambee'. In Swahili, Harambee means "pulling together" or "all for one".
Description
The shield contains the national colours - black, green and red, separated by two white stripes. These are the colours of the flag of Kenya, and are also the colours of the Pan-African flag.
The traditional Masai shield and the two crossed spears on the coat of arms also appear on the flag of Kenya.
The coat of arms appears on all Kenya shilling coinage.
Blazon
On a Maasai shield per fess Sable and Vert, on a fess Gules fimbriated Argent a cock grasping in the dexter foot an axe of the same.
Supporters: On either side a lion Or armed and langued Gules, grasping in the interior forepaw a spear of estate proper, the shafts of the spears gules crossing in saltire behind the shield.
The whole upon a compartment representing Mount Kenya proper containing in the foreground examples of Kenya agricultural produce – coffee, pyrethrum, sisal, tea, maize and pineapples.
The scroll containing the National Motto "Harambee".
See also
References
- ↑ Kenya National Archives. "Kenya Armorial Ensigns". Archived from the original on 2006-06-10. Retrieved 2008-07-31.