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Afghanistan

The National emblem of Afghanistan is a national symbol of Afghanistan that has appeared in some form on the flag of Afghanistan since 1901. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Albania

The coat of arms of Albania (Albanian: Stema e Republikës së Shqipërisë) is an adaptation of the Flag of Albania and is based on the symbols of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. It features the black double-headed eagle, documented in official use since 1458, as evidenced from a sealed document uncovered in the Vatican Secret Archive (fund: Miscellanea, vol. XXXIX, doc. 2398), addressed to Pope Pius II and co-sealed by notary Johannes Borcius de Grillis. The stylized gold helmet is partially based on the model of crown-like rank that once belonged to Skanderbeg, currently on display at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, first mentioned in 1593 in the Ambras armory inventory and depicted in 1601/03 in the 'Armamentarium Heroicum' of Jakob Schrenck von Notzing. The ruler of Austria, Ferdinand II, acquired the helmet from the Duke of Urbino, so mentioned in a letter sent to him from the duke, dated 15 October 1578. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Algeria

The national emblem of Algeria (Arabic: الشعار الوطني الجزائري, Tamazight: ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵜⴰⵔⵜ ⴰⵏⴰⵎⵓⵔ ⵏ ⵍⵣⵣⴰⵢⵔ) is the seal used by the government, as other states use coats of arms. The current form of the emblem with Arabic writing was adopted on 1 November 1976, but was only differentiated from previous one by the changing of the motto from French to Arabic. Contained on the emblem is the crescent that is also found on the flag of Algeria, and is a symbol of Islam. The text that encircles the emblem says in Arabic: الجمهورية الجزائرية الديمقراطية الشعبية ('The People's Democratic Republic of Algeria', the country's official name). The hand of Fatima, a traditional symbol of the region, appears in front of the Atlas Mountains, below a rising sun representing a new era. Buildings stand for industry and plants for agriculture. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Andorra

The coat of arms of Andorra (Catalan: Escut d'Andorra) is the heraldic device consisting of a shield divided quarterly by the arms of the Bishop of Urgell and the Count of Foix – who have historically been the two co-princes of Andorra – in addition to the emblems of Catalonia and the Viscount of Béarn. Utilized unofficially since the Middle Ages, its status as the coat of arms of the Principality of Andorra was formalized in 1993 upon the implementation of their new constitution. The escutcheon is featured on the flag of Andorra. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Angola

The National emblem of Angola reflects the recent past of the new nation. There is heavy Marxist imagery found on the device (as can be seen when compared with other examples of socialist heraldry), expanded from what is found on the national flag. In the center is a machete and hoe, representing the revolution through which the nation gained independence and the importance of agricultural workers. Above both emblems is a star, a common symbol in socialist emblems. The star is taken to represent progress. The rising sun is the traditional symbol of a new beginning. These emblems are all enclosed within a circle whose right half is formed by cog-wheel, representing the industrial workers, and whose left half is a half-wreath of maize, coffea and cotton leaves, representing agriculture. At the bottom is an open book that represents education. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Antigua and Barbuda

The coat of arms of Antigua and Barbuda was designed in 1966 by Gordon Christopher. It was officially introduced on 16 February 1967. The symbolism of the arms is more complex than that found on the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, but many elements are similar. At the top of the coat of arms is a pineapple, a fruit for which the islands are famous. There are several plants found around the shield, all abundant in the country: red hibiscus, sugarcane, and century plant (Agave americana). Supporting the shield is a pair of deer representing the wildlife of the islands. The design on the shield shows the sun, also found on the flag, rising from a blue and white sea. The sun symbolises a new beginning, and the black background represents the African origins of many of the nation's citizens. At the bottom of the shield, in front of the sea, sits a stylised sugar mill. The sun on the shield represents the six parishes of Antigua, and, the island of Barbuda. At the bottom is a scroll upon which is written the national motto: 'Each endeavouring, all achieving'. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Argentina

The coat of arms of the Argentine Republic or Argentine shield (Spanish: Escudo de la República Argentina) was established in its current form in 1944, but has its origins in the seal of the General Constituent Assembly of 1813. It is supposed that it was chosen quickly because of the existence of a decree signed on February 22 sealed with the symbol. The first mention of it in a public document dates to March 12 of that same year, in which it is stated that the seal had to be used by the executive power, that is, the second triumvirate. On April 13 the National Assembly coined the new silver and gold coins, each with the seal of the assembly on the reverse, and on April 27 the coat of arms became a national emblem. Although the coat of arms is not currently shown on flags, the Buenos Aires-born military leader Manuel Belgrano ordered to paint it over the flag he gave to the city of San Salvador de Jujuy, and during the Argentine War of Independence most flags had the coat of arms. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Armenia

The national coat of arms of Armenia (Armenian: Հայաստանի զինանշանը, Hayastani zinanshan) was adopted on April 19, 1992, by resolution of the Armenian Supreme Council. On June 15, 2006, the Armenian Parliament passed the law on the state coat of arms of Armenia. It consists of an eagle and a lion supporting a shield. The coat of arms combines new and old symbols. The eagle and lion are ancient Armenian symbols dating from the first Armenian kingdoms that existed prior to Christ. These symbols are found on the Armenian Highland from times immemorial. Numerous Armenian dynasties such as Artaxiad, Arsacid, Bagratuni and Rubenid, used these symbols as their royal insignia. Like other post-Soviet republics whose symbols do not predate the October Revolution, the current emblem retained one component of the Soviet one such as the Mount Ararat on the shield. Prior to 1992, Armenia had an emblem similar to all other Soviet Republics. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Australia

The coat of arms of Australia, officially called the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, is the formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia. A shield, depicting symbols of Australia's six states, is held up by the native Australian animals, the kangaroo and the emu. The seven-pointed Commonwealth Star surmounting the crest also represents the states and territories, while floral emblems appear below the shield. The first arms were authorised by King Edward VII on 7 May 1908, and the current version by King George V on 19 September 1912, although the 1908 version continued to be used in some contexts, notably appearing on the reverse of the sixpenny coin. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Austria

The current coat of arms of the Republic of Austria has been in use in its first forms by the First Republic of Austria since 1919. Between 1934 and the German annexation in 1938, the Federal State (Bundesstaat Österreich) used a different coat of arms, which consisted of a double-headed eagle (one-party corporate state led by the clerico-right-wing Fatherland Front, often labeled Austro-fascist). The establishment of the Second Republic in 1945 saw the return of the original arms, with broken chains added to symbolise Austria's liberation. In 1981 the Wappen der Republik Österreich (Bundeswappen) described the blazon in the Federal Constitutional Law (Austrian act) (Bundes-Verfassungsgesetz, B-VG). With this change of law it was defined that the specific drawing is to codificate in an own statute law and that all other versions of the coat of arms of Austria were no longer in law. In accordance to this the Wappengesetz from 1984 and the drawing of the actual Wappen der Republik Österreich is in Austrian law. The often used Bundesadler (federal eagle) is only a synonymous term in colloquial language. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Azerbaijan

The state emblem of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan gerbi) mixes traditional and modern symbols. The focal point of the emblem is a stylized flame. The flame is in the shape of the word 'Allah' written in Arabic (ﷲ‎) to represent the country's majority-Muslim population. As well as a reference to Azerbaijan's eternal natural oil-gas resources, which has given it the nickname 'land of eternal fire'. The emblem is supported by a crossed stalk of wheat and an oak bough. Wheat is the symbol of abundance in Azerbaijan. Also, wheat bread is the main staple food. The oak tree is the symbol of power and youth in time. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Bahrain

The current coat of arms of Bahrain is a coat of arms that was originally designed in 1932 by Charles Belgrave, the British adviser to the then-Shaikh of Bahrain. The design has undergone slight modifications since then, namely in 1971 in 2002 when mantling and the indentations of the chief were modified respectively, but the influence of the original design is still clearly visible in the modern blazon. And the recent modification happened in 2022 when King Hamad Al-Khalifa issued a decree-law amending the royal crown to be added to the national emblem of Bahrain. The arms act as a governmental and national symbol in addition to being the personal arms of the king; only the king, however, may display the royal crown ensigning the coat of arms. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Bangladesh

The National Emblem of Bangladesh (Bengali: বাংলাদেশের জাতীয় প্রতীক Bangladesher Jatiyô Pratik) is a national emblem of the People's Republic of Bangladesh which is used by the Government of Bangladesh and its agencies. The emblem appears on official government documents and currency. The emblem was adopted shortly after independence in 1971. In the centre is a water lily, that is bordered on two sides by rice sheaves. Above the water lily are four stars and three connected jute leaves. The water lily is the country's national flower, and is representative of the many rivers that run through Bangladesh. Rice represents its presence as the staple food of Bangladesh, and for the agriculture of that nation. The four stars symbolise the four founding principles of the Republic that were enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh: nationalism, socialism, democracy, secularism. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Barbados

The coat of arms of Barbados was adopted on 14 February 1966, by a royal warrant of Queen Elizabeth II. The coat of arms of Barbados was presented by the Queen to the then President of the Senate of Barbados, Sir Grey Massiah. Like other former British possessions in the Caribbean, the coat of arms has a helmet with a national symbol on top, and a shield beneath that is supported by two animals. The arms were designed by Neville Connell, for many years curator of the Barbados Museum, with artistic assistance by Hilda Ince. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Belarus

The national emblem of Belarus features a ribbon in the colors of the national flag, a silhouette of Belarus, wheat ears and a red star. It is sometimes referred to as the coat of arms of Belarus, although in heraldic terms this is inaccurate as the emblem does not respect the rules of conventional heraldry. The emblem is an allusion to one that was used by the Byelorussian SSR, designed by Ivan Dubasov in 1950, with the biggest change being a replacement of the Communist hammer and sickle with a silhouette of Belarus. The Belarusian name is Dziaržaŭny herb Respubliki Biełaruś (Дзяржаўны герб Рэспублікі Беларусь), and the name in Russian is Gosudarstvennyĭ gerb Respubliki Belarusʹ (Государственный герб Республики Беларусь). Between 1991 and 1995, Belarus used a coat of arms, known as the Pahonia, as its national emblem. The Pahonia was originally a symbol of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, of which Belarus had historically been a part. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Belgium

The coat of arms of Belgium bears a lion or, known as Leo Belgicus (Latin for the Belgian lion), as its charge. This is in accordance with article 193 (originally 125) of the Belgian Constitution: The Belgian nation takes red, yellow and black as colours, and as state coat of arms the Belgian lion with the motto UNITY MAKES STRENGTH. A royal decree of 17 March 1837 determines the achievement to be used in the greater and the lesser version, respectively.[citation needed] The newly independent Kingdom of Belgium decided to base its coat of arms and flag on the symbols used by the short-lived United Belgian States. These came into being after the Southern Netherlands threw off Austrian rule. It existed as an independent polity from January to December 1790. The Duchy of Brabant had taken the lead in the so-called Brabant Revolution, the insurrection against Emperor Joseph II, and afterwards dominated the United Netherlandish States. Therefore, the Lion of Brabant (sable, a lion rampant or, armed and langued gules) came to stand for the entire federation. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Belize

The coat of arms of Belize was adopted upon independence, and the current coat of arms is only slightly different from that used when Belize was a British colony (the Union Jack has been removed, and a Mestizo woodcutter has replaced one of the supporting Afro-Belizean woodcutters). The circular border of the coat is formed by 25 leaves. Within the circle is a mahogany tree, in front of which is a shield tierced per pall inverted. Within the shield are the tools of a woodcutter in the upper sections and a ship in the lower one. These are symbolic of the importance of mahogany in the 18th- and 19th-century Belizean economy. The flag of Belize features the coat of arms in its centre. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Benin

The coat of arms or national seal of Benin, originally introduced in 1964, was readopted in 1990 after being replaced in 1975. At the top of the emblem is the national crest that consists of two horns with corn in the ear and filled with sand. These are reputed to stand for prosperity. Below the crest is a shield that contains the actual coat of arms of Benin. The shield is broken into four quadrants. The top left quadrant contains a castle in the style of the Somba, representative of the history of Benin. In the top right quadrant, is the Star of Benin, the highest award of the nation. Below this is a ship, that stands for the arrival of Europeans in Benin. In the lower left quadrant is a palm tree. The shield is supported by a pair of leopards, the national animal of Benin. Below the shield is the motto of Benin (Fellowship, Justice, Work) in French. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Bhutan

The national emblem of Bhutan (Dzongkha: རྒྱལ་ཡོངས་ལས་རྟགས་; Wylie: rgyal-yongs las-rtags) maintains several elements of the flag of Bhutan, with slightly different artistry, and contains much Buddhist symbolism. The emblem was designed by a Mongolian artist, commissioned by Ashi Tashi Dorji, the sister of the Queen Grandmother. The Dorji (Sanskrit: Vajra) was a weapon used by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhāva) to quell evil spirits. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Bolivia

The coat of arms of Bolivia has a central cartouche surrounded by Bolivian flags, cannons, laurel branches, and has an Andean condor on top. Bolivian law describes the coat of arms as follows: The coat of arms of the Republic of Bolivia is elliptical in shape. In the upper part is a rising sun appearing behind the Cerro Rico with skies at dawn. In the center, the Cerro Rico of Potosí and the Cerro Menor. On the upper part of the smaller hill, the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the lower left part of the landscape formed by the hills, a llama. To its right a sheaf of wheat and a palm. Around the shield, a blue oval with golden inner edge. In the upper half of the oval, the inscription BOLIVIA in golden capital letters. In the lower half of the oval, ten golden stars of five points. At each flank, three national flags, a cannon, two rifles, an axe to the right and a liberty cap to the left. Surmounting the shield, an Andean condor in rising attitude. Behind the condor, two interlaced branches of laurel and olive. The laurel to the left and the olive to the right forming a wreath. When relevant, the field outside the shield shall be pearl blue. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The coat of arms of Bosnia and Herzegovina was adopted in 1998, replacing the previous design that had been in use since 1992 when Bosnia and Herzegovina gained independence. It follows the design of the national flag. The three pointed shield is used to symbolize the three major ethnic groups of Bosnia, as well as allude to the shape of the country. The official description of the coat of arms is as follows: The coat of arms of Bosnia and Herzegovina is blue and in shape of a shield with a pointed end. In the upper right corner of the shield is located a yellow triangle. Parallel to the left side of the triangle stretches a row of white five-pointed stars. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Botswana

The coat of arms of Botswana was adopted on 25 January 1966. The centre shield is supported by two zebras. The shape of the shield is that of traditional shields found in Southern Africa. On the top portion of the shield are three cogwheels that represent industry. The coat of arms is based on designs by Isabel Fawcus, whose husband Peter Fawcus was the Commissioner of Bechuanaland in 1960–65, and Shiela England. The three waves symbolize water, and reminds the viewer of the motto of the nation: pula, which translates to 'rain', but also good luck, and is also the name of the nation's currency. This motto also highlights the importance of water to Botswana. The motto is inscribed on a blue ribbon placed at the bottom of the coat of arms. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Brazil

The coat of arms of Brazil (Portuguese: Brasão de Armas do Brasil) was created on 19 November 1889, four days after Brazil became a republic. It consists of the central emblem surrounded by coffee (Coffea arabica, at the left) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum, at the right) branches, which were important crops in Brazil at that time. In the round shield in the center, the Southern Cross (Cruzeiro do Sul) can be seen. The ring of 27 stars around it represents Brazil's 26 states and the Federal District. The blue ribbon contains the official name of Brazil, República Federativa do Brasil — Federative Republic of Brazil, in its first line. Prior to 1964, this line contained the previous official name, Estados Unidos do Brasil — United States of Brazil. In the second line, the date of the proclamation of the Republic (15 November 1889) is written. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Brunei

The national emblem of Brunei is a national symbol featured prominently on the flag of Brunei. It was adopted in 1940. There are five main components to the national emblem: the flag, the royal parasol (ceremonial umbrella), the wings, the hands, and the crescent. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Bulgaria

The coat of arms of Bulgaria (Bulgarian: Герб на България [ˈɡɛrp na bɐɫˈɡarija]) consists of a crowned golden lion rampant over a dark red shield; above the shield is the Bulgarian historical crown. The shield is supported by two crowned golden lions rampant; below the shield there is compartment in the shape of oak twigs and white bands with the national motto 'Unity makes strength' inscribed on them. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Burkina Faso

The coat of arms of Burkina Faso contains a shield based on the national flag. Above the shield the name of the country is shown, while below it is the national motto, Unité, Progrès, Justice (French for 'Unity, Progress, Justice'). The supporters are two white stallions. The two plants emerging from the lower banner appear to represent pearl millet, an important cereal grain cultivated in this country where agriculture represents 32% of the gross domestic product. This coat of arms is similar to the old Upper Volta coat of arms (see below), with the Burkina Faso flag replacing the Upper Volta flag in the middle. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Burundi

The coat of arms of Burundi, adopted in 1966, consists of a shield surrounded by three spears. On the shield is the motto of the nation, as well as the head of a lion. Behind the shield there are three crossed traditional African spears. Under the shield the national motto of Burundi appears on a scroll: Unité, Travail, Progrès (French: 'Unity, Work, Progress'). The constitution of Burundi describes the coat of arms as follows: The motto of Burundi is 'Unité, Travail, Progrès'. The emblem of the Republic is a shield charged with a head of a lion, together with three spears, the whole surrounded by the national motto. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Cambodia

The royal arms of Cambodia is the symbol of the Cambodian monarchy. They have existed in some form close to the one depicted since the establishment of the independent Kingdom of Cambodia in 1953. It is the symbol on the royal standard of the reigning monarch of Cambodia, currently King Norodom Sihamoni. A light blue shield with an Unalome Sign, the Khmer Version of the Aum Symbol, on top of the sword is placed on two ceremonial pedestalled platters (phan) and the laurel wreath superimposed on the Royal Order of Cambodia on the bottom. The shield is placed on the white mantle with golden fringes and the golden decorations on the bottom and was surmounted by the Royal Crown with the shining diamond emanating from the rays of light at the top of the crown. The shield is supported by the two royal animals are the Gajasingha (the lion with an elephant trunk) to the left and the Rajasingha (the royal lion) to the right holding two royal five-tiered umbrellas (one on each side) standing on the blue ribbon with the words: 'ព្រះចៅក្រុងកម្ពុជា' (In Khmer, 'Ruler of the Kingdom of Cambodia'). (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Cameroon

The coat of arms of Cameroon consists of a shield with a banner above and below it. Behind the shield are two crossed fasces. The shield has the same color pattern as the flag of Cameroon, and in the center is a map of the nation. The scales of justice are superimposed on top of the map of the nation since 1998. The constitution of Cameroon describes the coat of arms as follows: The coat of arms of the Republic of Cameroon shall be an escutcheon surmounted chief by the legend <> and supported by two crossed fasces with the motto <> base. The escutcheon shall be composed of a star on a field [vert] and triangle gules, charged with the geographical outline of Cameroon azure, and surcharged with the sword and scales of justice sable. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Canada

The Arms of Canada (French: Armoiries du Canada), also known as the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada (French: armoiries royales du Canada) or, formally, as the Arms of His Majesty the King in Right of Canada (French: Armoiries de Sa Majesté le roi du Canada), is the arms of dominion of the Canadian monarch and, thus, also the official coat of arms of Canada. In use since 1921, it is closely modelled after the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, with French and distinctive Canadian elements replacing or added to those derived from the British version. The maple leaves in the shield, blazoned 'proper' (i.e., in natural colour), were originally drawn vert (green), but were redrawn gules (red) in 1957 and a circlet of the Order of Canada was added to the arms for limited use in 1987. The arms are registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority and protected under Crown copyright; they are used to signify national sovereignty and the federal government uses the arms to represent the state under the Federal Identity Program. Elements of the coat of arms are also used in other designs, with the shield being used in the various royal standards belonging to members of the royal family and the crest of the arms serving as the focal point of the governor general's flag. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Cape Verde

The national emblem of Cape Verde contains a circle within which is written the name of the nation in Portuguese. Within the circle are a torch and triangle, symbols of freedom and national unity. At the top of the shield is a plumbob, a symbol of righteousness; three chain links are at the bottom. This emblem replaces the earlier variant with the seashell that had been in use since independence. The current emblem was adopted in 1992. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Central African Republic

The coat of arms of the Central African Republic consists of a shield in the center, with two flags on its edges, and with a sun rising over the shield. Below and above the shield are banners, and there is the badge of the Order of Central African Merit located below the shield as well. ZO KWE ZO, the motto in Sango, means 'A man is a man' or 'All people are people'. The elephant and the baobab tree represent nature and the backbone of the country. The gold star on a map of Africa symbolizes the position of the Central African Republic. The hand (bottom right quarter) was the symbol of the dominant MESAN party in 1963 when the arms were adopted. The bottom left quarter holds three diamonds, which symbolize the mineral resources of the country. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Chad

The coat of arms of Chad was adopted in 1970. The center has a shield with jagged blue and yellow lines (barry dancetty), with a sun rising over it. The shield is supported by a goat and a lion. Below the shield is a medal and a scroll with the national motto in French, Unité, Travail, Progrès ('Unity, Work, Progress' in English). The shield supporters as well as the scroll feature a red arrow pointing upwards. The wavy lines on the shield symbolize Lake Chad; the crest, a rising sun, a new beginning for the country. The supporter on the left is a goat, representing the northern half of the state; the southern half is represented by the lion supporting the shield on the right. The insigne of the National Order of Chad depends from the shield. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Chile

The coat of arms of Chile dates from 1834 and was designed by the English artist Charles Wood Taylor (1792–1856). It is made up by a figurative background divided in two equal parts: the top one is blue and the bottom, red. A five pointed white star is in the centre of the shield. This background is supported in one side by a condor, the most significant bird of prey from the Andes, and in the other, by a huemul, a mammal endemic to Chile. Both animals wear golden naval crowns symbolising the heroic deeds of the Chilean Navy in the Pacific Ocean. The coat of arms is crowned by a three-feathered crest, each feather bearing one colour: blue, white and red. This crest was a symbol of distinction that former presidents of the Republic used to wear on their hats. Underneath the coat of arms and on the elaborated pedestal, there is a white band with the motto: Por la Razón o la Fuerza ('By reason or force'). (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

China

The National Emblem of the People's Republic of China is a national symbol of the People's Republic of China and contains in a red circle a representation of Tiananmen Gate, the entrance gate to the Forbidden City, where Mao Zedong declared the foundation of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. Above this representation are the five stars found on the national flag. The largest star represents the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), while the four smaller stars represent the four social classes as defined in Maoism. The emblem is described as being 'composed of patterns of the national flag': The red color of the flag symbolizes revolution and the yellow color of the stars the golden brilliant rays radiating from the vast red land. The design of four smaller stars surrounding a bigger one signifies the unity of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). —China Yearbook 2004 (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Colombia

The coat of arms of Colombia contains a shield with numerous symbols. Perched on top of the shield is an Andean condor holding an olive crown and the condor symbolizing freedom. The national motto, Libertad y Orden (Spanish for Liberty and Order), is on a scroll in between the bird and the shield in black font over golden background. The condor is depicted as displayed (with his wings extended) and looking to the right. The national flag is draped on each side of the shield. The shield is broken into three portions. In the lowermost portion is a depiction of ships, pointing to the maritime history of Colombia, mainly to the Isthmus of Panama, which was part of Colombia until 1903. Nowadays represents the two oceans that border the country (Atlantic and Pacific). The sails mean the Colombian commerce with the rest of the world and the rising economy. In the middle section, over a field of silver (argent), the Phrygian cap is presented; this being a traditional symbol of liberty and freedom. The topmost section contains a pomegranate over a blue (azure) field, as a symbol of the Vice royalty of New Granada (early colonial name of Colombia back in the 18th century), in the middle flanked by two cornucopias or horns of plenty: the one at the right with golden and silver coins and the one at the left with tropical fruits. This portion represents the agricultural and mineral wealth of Colombian soil. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Comoros

The national seal of the Comoros has the crescent found on the national flag in the center; within this crescent are the four stars found on the flag. A sun with rays extended is right above the crescent. Around the focal point, the name of the nation (Union of the Comoros) is written in both French and Arabic. The border is composed of two olive branches, with the national motto at the bottom in French. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Costa Rica

The official coat of arms of the Republic of Costa Rica was designed in 1848, with modifications in 1906, 1964, and 1998. The latest change was the addition of smoke to distinguish the three volcanoes. Before 1821, Costa Rica was part of the Spanish Empire and did not have a local coat of arms. The arms of the reigning monarch were used instead. The only city that had a local coat of arms was the city of Cartago, awarded by King Phillip II in 1565. After independence from Spain in 1821, Costa Rica established different government boards trying to decide its future, debating between being independent (republicans) or join the Mexican Empire (imperialists). Lack of decision led to the Battle of Ochomogo on 5 April 1823, with the decision to remain independent and moving the capital city from Cartago to San José. Due to the long distances and difficult communication at the time, imperialists realized the Mexican Empire no longer existed since March 1823. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Croatia

The coat of arms of the Republic of Croatia (Croatian: Grb Republike Hrvatske) consists of one main shield and five smaller shields which form a crown over the main shield. The main coat of arms is a checkerboard (chequy) that consists of 13 red and 12 white fields. It is also informally known in Croatian as šahovnica ('chessboard', from šah, 'chess'). The five smaller shields represent five different historical regions within Croatia. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)

Cuba

The Cuban coat of arms is the official heraldic symbol of Cuba. It consists of a shield, in front of a fasces crowned by the Phrygian cap, all supported by an oak branch on one side and a laurel wreath on the other. The coat of arms was created by Miguel Teurbe Tolón in 1849 The current version is not exactly the same as the original, since some elements related to annexationist ideas were removed. The design specifications of the shield were established by decree by the first president of Cuba, Tomás Estrada Palma, on April 21, 1906. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)