Coat of arms of the Holy See

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The Coat of Arms of the Holy See and of the State of Vatican City is blazoned gules, two keys in saltire or and argent, interlaced in the rings or, beneath a tiara argent, crowned or. Thus, the arms of the Holy See is simply the emblem of the Papacy displayed on a red field with a gold cord instead of the usual red to conform with heraldic rule of tincture.

[edit] Symbolism

• The crossed keys symbolise the keys of Simon Peter.
• The keys are gold and silver to represent the power of binding and loosing given to the Church.
• The triple crown (the tiara) representents the popes three functions as "supreme pastor", "supreme teacher" and "supreme priest".
• The gold cross surmounting the triple crowns symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus.

[edit] References

• Vatican press office, citing Fundamental law of the State of Vatican City dated 26.11.2000 (Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Supplement, 01.02.2001, Attachment B).