Coat of arms of Jamaica

Considered as a legacy from the British with slight modifications, the Jamaican coat of arms was granted to Jamaica in 1661 under Royal Warrant. The original was designed by William Sancroft, then Archbishop of Canterbury.[1]

The Royal Arms of Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Jamaica
Armiger	Elizabeth II in Right of Jamaica
Adopted	1962
Crest	Upon a Log fesse wise a Crocodile Proper
Torse	Argent and Gules
Blazon	Argent on a Cross Gules five pine-apples slipped OR
Supporters	On the dexter side a West Indian Native Woman holding in the exterior hand a Basket of Fruits and on the sinister side a West Indian Native Man supporting by the exterior hand a Bow all proper
Motto	Out of many, one people

Official description

The National Library of Jamaica describes the coat of arms as follows:[1]

For Arms, Argent on a Cross Gules five pine-apples slipped OR: and upon a representation of Our Royal Helmet mantled OR doubled Ermine, for the Crest, On a Wreath Argent and Gules, Upon a Log fesse wise a Crocodile Proper: And for the Supporters, On the dexter side a West Indian Native Woman holding in the exterior hand a Basket of Fruits and on the sinister side a West Indian Native Man supporting by the exterior hand a Bow all proper.

Symbolism

The motto of the seal has been a matter of discussion for years since inception. The original motto, INDUS UNTERQUE SERVIET VNI is the Latin translation for "The two Indians will serve as one", or rather "Both Indies will serve Together", in reference to the collective servitude of the Taino and Arawak Indians to the colonisers. The motto was replaced in 1962 with the English motto "Out of Many, One People",[2] as tribute to the unity of the different cultural minorities inhabiting the nation. Perhaps as coincidence, the motto has the same meaning as the motto of the United States; E Pluribus Unum.

Changes in the coat of arms

The Jamaican coat of arms has seen quite a number of changes, but only three are officially recorded. These changes occurred in 1906, 1957 and 1962.

• 
  Arms of Jamaica from 1875 to 1906.
• 
  Arms of Jamaica from 1906 to 8 April 1957.
• 
  Arms of Jamaica from 8 April 1957 to 13 July 1962.
• 
  Arms of Jamaica from 13 July to 6 August 1962.

References

1. "National Symbols". The National Library of Jamaica. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
2. "This day in 1962". The Gleaner. April 4, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2012.