Surabaya

From Heraldry of the World

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Indonesia

SURABAYA

Province : Jawa Timur

Origin/meaning

The name Soerabaja, Surabaja, is derived from the words Soera (shark) and Bojo (crocodile), the arms thus show a shark and a crocodile. The motto was Soerâ-ing-bâjâ in golden letters on a blue ribbon. The meaning is 'Virtue in battle'.

In the late 19th century the name of the city was also supposedly derived from Soerâ-ing-bâjâ and as arms it was proposed to adopt a knight with a lotus flower. This proposal was never accepted.

The full colonial arms

The arms in the Koffie Hag albums +/- 1930

Literature : Rühl, 1933; Koffie Hag albums, 1920s and http://tlvima.leidenuniv.nl