Benin coat of arms
Benin coat of arms | |
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Details | |
Introduced | 1964 , 1990 |
Heraldic shield | Castle in the style of Somba, Star of Benin , ship , palm tree |
Sign holder | leopard |
Motto (motto) | FRATERNITE JUSTICE TRAVAIL (brotherhood, justice, work) |
Other elements | Corn, sand |
Previous versions |
The coat of arms of Benin was re-adopted in 1990 after having been in use from 1964 to 1975 .
The shield is squared with red dividing lines . In the front silver field a golden Somba- style lock , which stands for the history of Benin . In the silver back field, the Star of Benin, the highest national award. In the lower back in the silver field on a blue shield base a black ship moving to the right , which stands for the arrival of the Europeans in Benin. In the silver field in front below is a green palm . The coat of arms is held by a red-tongued leopard , the national animal of Benin, on the left and right .
Above the shield the national symbol : two black corn and sand filled horns of plenty , which stand for prosperity .
Under the coat of arms a scroll on which the national motto ("brotherhood, justice, work") is written in French in black capital letters .
Coat of arms of the People's Republic of Benin
In 1972 the government pursued a Marxist-Lenist course and converted Benin into a people 's republic . As a result, the national coat of arms was also changed in 1975 to a coat of arms based on the Soviet Union . After Benin became a republic again in 1990, the 1964 coat of arms was again adopted.