National Arms of São Tomé e Príncipe

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of São Tomé e Príncipe

National Arms of São Tomé e Príncipe

Origin/meaning:
The arms were adopted in 1975 and have been confirmed several times in the constitution.

The palmtree symbolizes the main trade crop of the republic, copra. The star is for the republican form of government in Africa. The birds symbolize the local avifauna: the falcon probably is a Lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus - Falconidæ); the parrot is an African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus - Psittaciformes) common in West Africa.

The Portuguese colony of São Tomé e Príncipe was granted arms on May 8, 1935.

The arms follow the general design of the Portuguese colonies, the shield placed on an armillary sphere, crowned with a mural crown with five towers and in the shield the five shields of Portugal. The left half of the arms shows a mill-wheel with drops of water flying off. This was the personal symbol of king Alphonso V (1438-'81), during whose reign the islands were discovered. The base shows waves for the sea.`

The initial arms showed as legend Colonia Portuguesa de São Tomé e Príncipe, but after the reform in 1951 the legend was changed to Provincia de São Tomé e Príncipe.

The colonial arms on a coin.

The arms of the two islands on a coin.

Literature : Images and information taken from http://hubert-herald.nl