Cultural Artefact: Solomon Islands Coat of Arms
- Alternative Names
- Coat of Arms
Details
The magnificent Coat of Arms was a further development of symbols used during the Protectorate days, which are still displayed on the Crest. The official description from the British College of Arms uses archaic English but is here recorded in modern English. At the summit of the Coat-of-Arms is a sun in splendour, which rests on a Solomon Islands war canoe, which in turn rests on a 'wreath azure and argent' (i.e., silver/white and blue, respectively). Below this is a helmet and mantling, again argent and blue with a gules (red) visor opening to the helmet. The central Crest consists of two diagonal bands of vert (green) each of which contains a double-headed arrow forming an 'x' shape which is split by a Melanesian dancing shield fronting a bow and arrows. The background of (gold/yellow) is split in four by the abovementioned bands and contains in the left and right segments a turtle. Above this is a deep band of azure containing a Sanford Eagle resting on a branch, which has a frigate bird on each side of it. The left hand support (dexter side) is a crocodile and on the opposing side, the right hand support (sinister side) is a shark. Below this is a double-headed frigate bird of traditional artistic design of the Solomon Islands which rests on the motto 'To Lead Is to Serve' on a banner scroll of gold/yellow, with gules shadow. (Kenilorea 2008, 236-237)
Related entries
Published resources
Books
- Kenilorea, Peter, Tell It As It Is: Autobiography of Rt. Hon. Sir Peter Kenilorea, KBE, PC, Solomon Islands' First Prime Minister, Clive Moore, Centre for Asia-Pacific Area Studies, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 2008, xxxvi, 516 pp. pp. Details
