Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory
Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory | |
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Versions | |
Armiger | Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory Monarch of the British Indian Ocean Territory |
Adopted | 1990 |
Crest | Naval crown through which rises a red tower bearing the territory's flag |
Shield | In chief the Union Jack proper, in base azure, Palm tree and St. Edward's Crown on a base of three wavy lines argent, a sun in splendour or in the canton |
Supporters | Hawksbill turtle and a green turtle |
Compartment | Sand and seashells |
Motto | In tutela nostra Limuria Limuria is in our charge/trust |
Use | Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory |
The coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory was granted in 1990 on the 25th anniversary of the territory's establishment.
The centrepiece of the arms, the shield, bears a palm tree and St. Edward's Crown on a base of three white wavy lines representing the ocean, a sun in splendour in the upper-left corner, and the Union Flag in a chief at the top. Two sea turtles are used as supporters (a hawksbill turtle and a green turtle), representing the local native wildlife. The crest comprises a naval crown through which rises a red tower, with a crosslet loophole shaped like the Holy Cross, bearing the territory's flag; there is no helm or mantling.[1]
The motto is In tutela nostra Limuria,[1] Latin for “Limuria is in our charge/trust”. This latinised name refers to the non-existent continent of Lemuria, once thought to occupy the Indian Ocean.
The palm tree and royal crown also feature in the flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Governance".