Emblem of Mozambique

National Emblem of Mozambique
Details
Adopted	1990

The national emblem of Mozambique, which was adopted in 1990 in the Constitution of Mozambique article 194. The Article clearly states the design and meaning of the device. It shows a gear wheel, bordered by corn stalks and sugarcane. In the middle there is a red sun over a map of Mozambique in green, and blue waves, an AK-47 crossed with a hoe, and a book. The wreath is tied with a ribbon bearing the name of the country.

As described in the Mozambican constitution article 194,^[1] the various parts of the emblem have a special symbolism, i.e.

• the corn stalk and the sugar cane represent argricultural wealth
• the cog wheel represents labor and industry
• the book represents education
• the hoe for "peasantry and agriculture production"
• the AK-47 for "defense and vigilance"
• the red star represents socialism, but is quoted in the Mozambican constitution to "symbolize the spirit of international solidarity of the Mozambican people".
• the red sun symbolizes the building of a new life

Historical coats of arms

• 

  Provisional coat of arms of Portuguese East Africa in the 1930's.

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  Coat of arms of Portuguese East Africa between May 8, 1935 - June 11, 1951.

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  Coat of arms of Portuguese East Africa from June 11, 1951 to June 25, 1975.

• 

  Lesser coat of arms between May 8, 1935 - June 25, 1975.

References

1. ^ 'The Constitution of The Republic of Mozambique'

Article 194 The emblem of the Republic of Mozambique shall contain as its central elements a book, a gun and a hoe, superimposed on a map of Mozambique, representing, respectively, education, defense and vigilance, and the peasantry and agricultural production. Below the map the ocean shall be represented. In the center shall be the rising sun, symbol of the building of a new life. Enclosing all this shall be a toothed wheel, symbolizing labor and industry. Surrounding the toothed wheel there shall be, to the right and left respectively, an ear of maize and a piece of sugar cane, symbolizing agricultural wealth. At the bottom there shall be a red strip with the inscription "Republic of Mozambique."