Coat of arms of Rhodesia
Encyclopedia
The coat of arms of Rhodesia was first used for the self-governing British colony of Southern Rhodesia
in 1923, known simply as Rhodesia
after 1964.
Official authorisation by Royal Warrant
for the Coat of Arms was granted on 11 August 1924.
The shield features a red lion passant and two thistles, taken from the family arms of Cecil Rhodes, after whom the colony was named, and the Latin
motto Sit Nomine Digna (May It Be Worthy of the Name) is a reference to Rhodes. The pick, in gold on a green field, represents mining, the economic mainstay of the colony. Also featured above the shield is the soapstone statuette of a bird
found in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe
.
The shield of the arms was used on a British
Blue Ensign
, like most other British colonies, originally on a white disc, but later without one. This design served as the Flag of Rhodesia
until 1964, when the field of the flag was changed to light blue. In 1968, the full coat of arms
was featured on a new national flag, placed in the centre, and when Rhodesia was declared a republic
in 1970, was featured on the President
's flag.
The arms remained unchanged by the renaming of the country as Zimbabwe Rhodesia
in 1979, and were used by the government of Zimbabwe
from April 18, 1980 to September 21, 1981, when the present coat of arms of Zimbabwe
were introduced.
Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa. From its independence in 1965 until its extinction in 1980, it was known as Rhodesia...
in 1923, known simply as Rhodesia
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
after 1964.
Official authorisation by Royal Warrant
Royal Warrant
Royal warrants of appointment have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family, so lending prestige to the supplier...
for the Coat of Arms was granted on 11 August 1924.
The shield features a red lion passant and two thistles, taken from the family arms of Cecil Rhodes, after whom the colony was named, and the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
motto Sit Nomine Digna (May It Be Worthy of the Name) is a reference to Rhodes. The pick, in gold on a green field, represents mining, the economic mainstay of the colony. Also featured above the shield is the soapstone statuette of a bird
Zimbabwe Bird
The stone-carved Zimbabwe Bird is a national emblem of Zimbabwe, appearing on the national flags and coats of arms of both Zimbabwe and Rhodesia, as well as on banknotes and coins...
found in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe is a ruined city that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe, which existed from 1100 to 1450 C.E. during the country’s Late Iron Age. The monument, which first began to be constructed in the 11th century and which continued to be built until the 14th century, spanned an...
.
The shield of the arms was used on a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Blue Ensign
Blue Ensign
The Blue Ensign is a flag, one of several British ensigns, used by certain organisations or territories associated with the United Kingdom. It is used either plain, or defaced with a badge or other emblem....
, like most other British colonies, originally on a white disc, but later without one. This design served as the Flag of Rhodesia
Flag of Rhodesia
The Flag of Rhodesia changed many times as a result of political changes in the country.Prior to 1953, the then Southern Rhodesia followed British colonial practice, by using a Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton and the shield from the colony's coat of arms in the fly.In 1953, Southern...
until 1964, when the field of the flag was changed to light blue. In 1968, the full coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
was featured on a new national flag, placed in the centre, and when Rhodesia was declared a republic
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
in 1970, was featured on the President
President of Rhodesia
The position of President of Rhodesia was the nominal head of state of Rhodesia from 1970 to 1979. As with Rhodesia itself, the position lacked international recognition for the entire period. The position of president, however, was mostly symbolic, and Rhodesia never had a presidential system of...
's flag.
The arms remained unchanged by the renaming of the country as Zimbabwe Rhodesia
Zimbabwe Rhodesia
Zimbabwe Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Zimbabwe Rhodesia, was an unrecognized state that existed from 1 June 1979 to 12 December 1979...
in 1979, and were used by the government of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
from April 18, 1980 to September 21, 1981, when the present coat of arms of Zimbabwe
Coat of arms of Zimbabwe
The coat of arms of Zimbabwe was adopted on September 21, 1981, one year and five months after the national flag was adopted.-Description:The coat of arms depicts two kudus on the left and right, each standing on top of an earthly mound composed of stalks of wheat, a pile of cotton, and a head of...
were introduced.