Coat of arms of Guyana

National coat of arms of Guyana

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The coat of arms of Guyana (Co-operative Republic of Guyana) was granted by the College of Arms on 25 February 1966.

It includes a crest of an Amerindian head-dress symbolising the indigenous people of the country, this crest is also called the Cacique's Crown; two diamonds at the sides of the head-dress representing mining industry; a helmet; two jaguars as supporters holding a pick axe, sugar cane, and a stalk of rice (symbolising Guyana's mining, sugar and rice industries); a shield decorated with the Victoria amazonica lily, Guyana's national flower; three blue wavy lines representing the three main rivers of Guyana; and the national bird, the Canje Pheasant (Opisthocomus hoazin). The national motto, "One people, One Nation, One Destiny", appears on the scroll below the shield.[1][2][3]

## British Guiana

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Colony of British Guiana

Emblem | Period of use | Notes
| 1875–1906  | Colonial badge of British Guiana, based on the seal of the Dutch West India Company. Depicting a sailing vessel with full sails. Before this, the royal arms of the United Kingdom was used by the colonial authorities.
| 1906–1955  | The badge remained the same but was further augmented with a golden strap surrounding the badge with the Latin motto "DAMUS PETIMUSQUE VICISSIM" (We Give and Take in Return). The design of the sailing ship was changed slightly.
| 1955–1966  | On 8 December 1954 a coat of arms was granted to the colony by the College of Arms in London. It depicted a Blackwall frigate in full sails, sailing to the sinister on waves of the sea, all proper. The same motto is written on a ribbon below the shield. Used until independence.

## Symbolism

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Guyana coat of arms explained

The symbolism of the coat of arms of Guyana is as follows:[4]

* The Amerindian head-dress, the Cacique Crown, symbolises the Amerindians as the indigenous people of the country.
* The two diamonds at the sides of the head-dress represent the country’s mining industry.
* The helmet, on which the Cacique Crown rests, is the monarchical insignia.
* The two jaguars rampant, holding a pick-axe, a sugar cane, and a stalk of rice, symbolise labour and the two main agricultural industries of the country, sugar and rice.
* The shield, which is decorated with the national flower, the Victoria Regia Lily, is to protect the nation.
* The three blue wavy barrulets represent the three great rivers and many waters of Guyana.
* The Canje Pheasant at the bottom of the shield is a rare bird found principally in this part of the world and represents the rich fauna of Guyana.

## See also

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* Flag of Guyana
* Postage stamps and postal history of British Guiana

## References

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1. ^ "The Coat of Arms". www.guyana.org. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
2. ^ "NATIONAL SYMBOLS". www.guyana.org. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
3. ^ "National Flag & Coat of Arms". www.caribcentral.com. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
4. ^ "Guyana's Constitution of 1980 with Amendments through 2016" (PDF). Retrieved 20 August 2023.

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Armorial of South America

Sovereign states|

* Argentina
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Chile
* Colombia
* Ecuador
* Guyana
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Suriname
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Dependencies and
other territories

* Falkland Islands
* French Guiana
* South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

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