Coat of arms of Belize

Details
Crest	A mahogany tree proper
Escutcheon	Party per pall inverted, 1st Argent a paddle and a squaring axe proper in saltire 2nd Or a saw and beating axe proper in saltire 3rd per fess bleu celeste and barry wavy or vert azure above the last a sailing ship proper
Supporters	Dexter a Caucasian woodsman proper garbed in trousers argent bearing in the dexter hand a beating axe proper, sinister an African woodsman proper garbed in trousers argent bearing in the sinister hand a paddle proper
Compartment	A grassy field proper
Motto	SUB UMBRA FLOREO Under the shade I flourish
Other elements	The whole surrounded by a wreath of 25 leaves proper

The Coat of Arms of Belize was adopted upon independence,^{[citation needed]} and is only slightly different from the coat of arms used when Belize was a British colony.^{[citation needed]}

The circular border of the coat is formed by twenty-five leaves. Within the circle is a mahogany tree, in front of which is a shield tierced per pall inverted. Within the shield are the tools of a woodcutter in the upper sections and a ship in the lower one. These are symbolic of the importance of mahogany in the 18th and 19th century Belizean economy.

The shield is supported by two wood-cutters of different races. The one on the left is holding an axe, while the one on the right is holding an oar. Again the importance of the mahogany and its importance to boat building are represented. At the bottom is the national motto: Sub Umbra Floreo (Under the Shade I Flourish).

The flag of Belize features the coat of arms in its centre.

External links

• National Symbols from the Belizean Government website