National Arms of São Tomé e Príncipe

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  • Total pages in the São Tomé e Príncipe section : 47
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National Arms of São Tomé e Príncipe

Coat of arms (crest) of National Arms of São Tomé e Príncipe
Official blazon
English blazon wanted

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.

Colonial arms

In June 1932 the first arms for the Portuguese colony of São Tomé e Príncipe were designed and proposed to the Ministry of Colonies. The arms follow a centralised pattern with a bordure with the castle of Portugal and a cross as used by the Portuguese discoverers. For each province a separate symbol was used as the main charge. For São Tomé e Príncipe a a mill-wheel with drops of water flying off was chosen. This was the personal symbol of king Alphonso V (1438-'81), during whose reign the islands were discovered. These arms were, as far as I know, never officially adopted and replaced in 1935.

Colonial arms of São Tomé e Príncipe

The proposal from 1932

On May 8 1935 the then Portuguese colony received its first arms. 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 the mill-wheel with drops of water flying off. The base shows waves for the sea.

Colonial arms of São Tomé e Príncipe

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.


Colonial arms of São Tomé e Príncipe

The colonial arms on a coin.
National arms of São Tomé e Príncipe

The arms of the two islands on a coin.

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Literature : Images and information taken from http://rode-leeuw.nl