Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory
| Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Versions | |
 Escutcheon-only version | |
| Armiger | Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory Monarch of the British Indian Ocean Territory |
| Adopted | 1990 |
| Crest | Naval crown through which rises a red tower bearing the territory's flag |
| Shield | In chief the Union Jack proper, in base azure, Palm tree and St. Edward's Crown on a base of three wavy lines argent, a sun in splendour or in the canton |
| Supporters | Hawksbill turtle and a green turtle |
| Compartment | Sand and seashells |
| Motto | In tutela nostra Limuria Limuria is in our charge/trust |
| Use | Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory |
The coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory was granted in 1990 on the 25th anniversary of the territory's establishment.
The centrepiece of the arms, the shield, bears a palm tree and St. Edward's Crown on a base of three white wavy lines representing the ocean, a sun in splendour in the upper-left corner, and the Union Flag in a chief at the top. Two sea turtles are used as supporters (a hawksbill turtle and a green turtle), representing the local native wildlife. The crest comprises a naval crown through which rises a red tower bearing the territory's flag; there is no helm or mantling.[1]
The motto is In tutela nostra Limuria,[1] Latin for “Limuria is in our charge/trust”. This latinised name refers to the non-existent continent of Lemuria, once thought to occupy the Indian Ocean.
The palm tree and royal crown also feature in the flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
See also
References
- ^ a b "Governance".
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