Coat of arms of Haiti
| Coat of arms of Haiti | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Armiger | Republic of Haiti |
| Adopted | 1986 (1807) |
| Crest | Phrygian cap |
| Motto |
L'Union Fait La Force "Unity Makes Strength" |
The coat of arms of Haiti was originally introduced in 1807, and has appeared in its current form since 1986.
It shows six draped flags of the country, three on each side, which are located before a palm tree and cannons on a green lawn. On the lawn various items are found, such as a drum, bugles, long guns, and ship anchors. Above the palm tree, there is a Phrygian cap placed as a symbol of freedom. On the lawn between the drum and the ribbon there were supposed to be two pieces of chain with a broken link symbolizing the broken chain of slavery.
The ribbon bears the motto: French: L'Union Fait La Force ("Unity Makes Strength"). This should not be confused with the national motto of Haiti, which according to the Constitution of Haiti is "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity."
The oldest use of a symbol for Haiti is known since 1807. The symbol shows several national flags, with two cannons and palm trees. The symbol indicates the battle for independence of the republic. The motto, in French, means 'Strength through unity'. The use of the symbol was interrupted twice; once was during the period of Henri I. The then president Henri Christophe declared himself as the Emperor of Haiti and adopted a Royal Coat of Arms. On the yellow shield of the arm there was a phoenix rising from its flames with five-pointed stars around it, and the motto Je renais de mes cendres (I will rise in my ashes) inscribed on a ribbon outlining the shield. Two royally crowned lions supported both sides of the shield, and the motto Dieu ma cause et mon épée (God, my cause and my sword) was placed on another ribbon at the bottom. In 1814 Henri I slightly changed his Royal Arm, the lions were removed and the motto was changed to a Latin one: Ex cineribus nascitur (Reborn from the ashes).[1] Another change occurred in 1849, when President General Faustin Soulouque crowned himself as Emperor Faustin I. He adopted new Imperial arms, showing two cannons and a French imperial eagle. Two lions were again used as supporters and the whole was placed in a purple mantle, with a motto similar to the one Henri I used: Dieu, ma patrie et mon épée (God, my country and my sword). The emperor was forced to leave the country in 1859, and the old symbol was later restored. Ever since the composition has been the same, but the colors and items have changed somewhat.[2]
The coat of arms is on the national flag of Haiti, but not on its civil flag.
Historical Coat of Arms
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Coat of Arms of Haiti (Henri Christophe era,1811-1814)
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Coat of Arms of Haiti (Henri Christophe era,1814-1820)
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Coat of Arms of Haiti (Faustin Soulouque era,1849-1859)
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Coat of Arms of Haiti (Duvalier era, 1964-1986)