The Significance Of Belize's Coat Of Arms: A National Symbol Explained

The coat of arms of Belize was adopted upon independence in 1981, with only minor differences from the colonial version. The coat of arms features a shield divided into three sections by a vertical line and an inverted V. The base section depicts a sailing ship on the waves of the sea, while the upper sections display tools of the timber industry: a paddle, squaring axe, saw, and beating axe. Supporting the shield are two woodcutters, one holding a beating axe and the other, a paddle. Above the shield is a mahogany tree, which references the rich sylvan resources of the area and the historical importance of the mahogany industry to Belize's economy. The wreath of 25 or 50 leaves surrounding the coat of arms symbolises the year 1950 when the anti-colonial People's Committee was formed. The national motto, Sub Umbra Floreo, translates to Under the Shade I Flourish, further emphasising the significance of the natural environment in Belize.

The mahogany tree

The coat of arms features a shield divided into three sections, with the base section depicting a ship in full sail on the waves of the sea. This ship symbolises the importance of the sea and trade to Belize. The two upper sections of the shield show the tools of the timber industry, including a paddle and a squaring axe, a saw, and a beating axe. These tools are also representative of the labour and hard work that went into building the nation.

Supporting the shield on either side are two woodcutters, one a Belizean Mestizo and the other an Afro-Belizean. These figures represent the people of Belize and their strength and resilience. They hold the tools of their trade, with one woodcutter holding a beating axe over his shoulder and the other holding a paddle, which was used to send trees downriver for export.

The coat of arms as a whole symbolises the history and economy of Belize, with the mahogany tree at its centre, representing the nation's natural resources and the importance of the mahogany industry to its past prosperity. The wreath of 25 or 50 leaves surrounding the coat of arms is thought to symbolise the year 1950 when the anti-colonial People's Committee was formed, or the year when the first opposition to British rule began. The national motto, "Sub Umbra Floreo," translates to "Under the Shade I Flourish," reflecting the shade provided by the nation's forests and the protection offered by British colonisation.

The grassy field

The mahogany tree is not the only symbol of the timber industry in Belize. The two supporters of the coat of arms are woodcutters, one a Belizean Mestizo and the other Afro-Belizean, holding tools of the trade: an axe and a paddle. The paddle was used to send trees downriver for export. The shield in front of the mahogany tree is also divided into three sections, with the upper sections featuring tools of the timber industry, including a paddle and squaring axe, and a saw and beating axe. The base section of the shield depicts a ship in full sail on the waves of the sea, another symbol of the importance of trade to Belize.

The coat of arms is encircled by a wreath of 25 leaves, which is thought to symbolise the year 1950 when the anti-colonial People's Committee was formed. The number 25 also holds religious significance, representing "Grace Upon Grace" in the Bible. The Latin motto "Sub Umbra Floreo" translates to "Under the Shade I Flourish", a reference to the country's forests and its establishment as a British colony. The coat of arms, therefore, incorporates the grassy field as a symbol of the natural landscape of Belize, upon which the country's economy and history have been built.

The shield and its three sections

The shield of the Coat of Arms is divided into three sections by a vertical line and an inverted V. The base section features a sailing ship on a wavy blue background, symbolising the mahogany industry that formed the basis of Belize's economy in the 18th and 19th centuries. The ship also represents the export of mahogany, which was sent downriver using paddles.

The two upper sections of the shield showcase the tools of the timber industry in Belize. On the right, a paddle and a squaring axe are crossed on a white background. The left section features a two-handed saw and a beating axe crossed on a dark yellow background. These tools represent the labour and craftsmanship involved in the mahogany trade.

The shield is supported by two woodcutters, reflecting the diverse ethnic makeup of Belize. On the viewer's left is a Belizean Mestizo, and on the right is an Afro-Belizean. The Mestizo figure holds a beating axe over his right shoulder, while the Afro-Belizean figure carries a paddle over his left shoulder. This representation of two men of different ethnic backgrounds working together symbolises unity and collaboration in the nation's shared history and prosperity.

The two woodcutters

The coat of arms of Belize features two woodcutters, one Afro-Belizean and the other a Mestizo Belizean. The two men represent the diverse ethnic makeup of Belize, with the Mestizo woodcutter replacing one of the Afro-Belizean figures in a post-independence revision of the coat of arms. The original design, dating back to 1819 when the colony was known as British Honduras, featured two figures of African background.

The coat of arms embodies a significant aspect of Belize's history, celebrating the mahogany industry that was central to the nation's economic development during the colonial era. The woodcutters, with their tools and the majestic mahogany tree, serve as a reminder of the country's rich sylvan resources and the labour that contributed to its growth.

The design of the coat of arms underwent a democratic process during Belize's transition to independence in 1981, ensuring that the final version would serve as a unifying symbol for all citizens, regardless of political affiliation. The result is a detailed and instructive depiction of Belize's history, natural resources, and the industries that shaped its past.

The wreath of leaves

The wreath of 50 leaves (25 leaves proper or desussate) encircling Belize's coat of arms is thought to symbolise the year 1950 when the anti-colonial Peoples Committee (the precursor to the P.U.P.) was formed. However, it is known that George Price, the Father of Independence, suggested 25 leaves. This is because the number 25 represents "Grace Upon Grace" in the Bible and appears several times in the book.

The coat of arms was adopted upon independence in 1981, and the current version is only slightly different from the colonial one. The British College of Heraldry laid forth the blazon of the coat of arms, including the wreath of 25 leaves. The circular border of the coat is formed by these 25 leaves, which encircle a mahogany tree and a shield. The coat of arms is featured in the centre of the Belize flag.

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