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= Coat of arms of Botswana = A stub-class article from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigationJump to search The coat of arms of Botswana was adopted on 25 January 1966. The centre shield is supported by two zebras The shape of the shield is that of traditional shields found in Southern Africa. On the top portion of the shield are three cogwheels that represent industry.

The coat of arms is based on designs by Isabel Fawcus, whose husband Peter Fawcus was the Commissioner of Bechuanaland in 1960–65, and Shiela England.

The three waves symbolize water, and reminds the viewer of the motto of the nation: pula, which means "rain", but also good luck, and is also the name of the nation's currency. This motto also highlights the reliance of Batswana on water. The motto is inscripted on a blue half tone scroll placed at the bottom of the coat of arms.

At the bottom of the shield is the head of a bull, which symbolises the importance of cattle herding in Botswana. The two zebras also symbolise the importance of wildlife, through tourism, in the national economy. Also, zebra have black and white stripes which represent equality of people of all colours in Botswana. The zebra on the right holds an ear of sorghum, that symbolizes the importance of agriculture in the country. The zebra on the left holds a tusk of ivory, symbolic of the former ivory trade in Botswana. There is also view that ivory tusk represents wild life preservation. Botswana has one of the highest elephant populations in Africa.

Official description[edit | edit source]
The Botswana Emblems Act describes the coat of arms of Botswana as follows:

''Argent three barrulets wavy in fesse Botswana blue between in chief three Botswana blue cogwheels, one above engaged with two below and in base a brown bull's head caboshed proper, and for the supporters on either side a zebra the dexter supporting a white elephant's tusk the sinister a green stalk of sorghum and brown sorghum head with white grains proper. Motto "Pula" in black on a Botswana blue half tone scroll. The reverse side of the scroll is red.''

References[edit | edit source]

 * Guide to the Flags of the World by Mauro Talocci, revised and updated by Whitney Smith (ISBN 0-688-01141-1), p. 165.
 * Junior Secondary Social Studies Atlas for Botswana by Macmillan Publishers (ISBN 978-9-991-24943-8)


 * 1) ^
 * 2) ^ An Act to declare the Arms or Ensigns Armorial of Botswana, the National Flag of Botswana and the Standard of the President of Botswana; and to provide for matters incidental thereto.