The national coat of arms of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a symbol of the country’s sovereignty and identity. It features a shield divided into four quadrants, each representing an important aspect of Eswatini’s culture and history. The shield is supported by two tasseled spears, which symbolize the country’s readiness to defend itself against any threat.
The first quadrant of the shield features a depiction of a traditional Swazi fighting stick, known as an ibheshu. This represents the country’s military prowess and readiness to defend itself against any threat. The second quadrant features a depiction of a black and white shield, which represents the country’s peaceful coexistence between its two main ethnic groups, the Swazi and the Zulu. The third quadrant features a depiction of a traditional Swazi ceremonial axe, known as an emagwaza. This represents the country’s cultural heritage and the importance of tradition in Swazi society. The fourth quadrant features a depiction of a pair of elephant tusks, which represent the country’s wildlife and natural resources.
The shield is surrounded by a blue and white border, which represents the country’s commitment to peace and stability. Above the shield is a traditional Swazi crown, which represents the country’s monarchy and the importance of traditional leadership in Swazi society. The crown is supported by a pair of Swazi elephants, which represent the country’s wildlife and natural resources.
The colors used in the national coat of arms are significant and have specific meanings. The blue and white border represents peace and stability, while the red and black shield represents the country’s readiness to defend itself against any threat. The gold and black emagwaza represents the country’s cultural heritage and the importance of tradition in Swazi society. The green and white ibheshu represents the country’s military prowess and readiness to defend itself. The white tusks represent purity and the importance of conservation in Swazi society.
The national coat of arms of Eswatini has a rich history that dates back to the country’s independence from British colonial rule in 1968. The original coat of arms featured a lion and elephant, which were replaced in 1986 with the current design. The current design was created by artist and designer Ms. Vilakati, who won a national competition to design the new coat of arms.
The national coat of arms of Eswatini is an important symbol of the country’s sovereignty and identity. It represents the country’s commitment to peace, stability, and cultural heritage, as well as its readiness to defend itself against any threat. The use of traditional Swazi symbols and colors in the design of the coat of arms reflects the importance of tradition and cultural heritage in Swazi society. Overall, the national coat of arms of Eswatini is a powerful symbol of the country’s history, culture, and identity.