| Coat of arms of Malta | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Armiger | Republic of Malta |
| Crest | A mural crown with a Sally port and five turrets all or |
| Escutcheon | Flag of Malta: Per pale Argent and Gules, a representation of George Cross Argent fimbriated Gules in Dexter Chief |
| Supporters | Dexter, An olive Branch; Sinister, A Palm branch in vert |
| Motto | REPUBBLIKA TA' MALTA (Republic of Malta in Maltese) |
The Coat of arms of Malta is the national emblem of the country of Malta.
The present coat of arms is described by the Emblem and Public Seal of Malta Act of 1988 as a shield showing an heraldic representation of the national flag of Malta; above the shield a mural crown in gold with a sally port and five turrets representing the fortifications of Malta and denoting a city-state;[1] and around the shield a wreath of two branches: the dexter of Olive, the sinister of Palm, symbols of peace and traditionally associated with Malta, all in their proper colours, tied at base with a white ribbon, backed red and upon which are written the words Repubblika ta' Malta (“Republic of Malta” in Maltese) in capital letters in black.
The national coat of arms also appears on the flag of the President of Malta, as well as on the 10c, 20c and 50c Maltese euro coins.
The coat of arms of Malta also appears on the obverse of the Maltese euro commemorative coins, minted in 2008 and 2009 in both silver and gold collectors' editions.
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Malta had three colonial badges between 1875 and 1964. The first (1875-c.1898) showed a white Maltese cross on a white panel, the second (c.1898-1943) showed a white and red shield (like the arms of Mdina), and the third (1943-1964) was like the 1898 arms, but with a George Cross on a blie canton on the white half. All three badges were featured on the Maltese state ensigns, and the second badge appeared on the low values of Malta's 1926-1930 definitive postage stamps, along with the portrait of King George V.
This coat of arms depicts two dolphins which support a blazon of the Maltese flag, one with a palm branch and the other with an olive twig representing Victory and Peace respectively. Above is a crown shaped like a fort with five octagonal turrets surmounts a helmet, with red and white ribbons. Below are blue waves representing the surrounding Mediterranean Sea, the Maltese eight-pointed Cross representing the connection with the Order of St. John, and the motto Virtute et Constantia (by Valour and Firmness) on a ribbon. Nowadays, this motto is used by the National Order of Merit.
This coat of arms was adopted on the 11 July 1975, a year after Malta became a republic. It showed a coastal scene with the rising sun, a traditional Maltese boat (the 'Luzzu'), a shovel and a pitchfork, and an Opuntia. All of these symbols are somewhat connected to Malta. Underneath the image the then new name of the state "Repubblika Ta' Malta" (Republic of Malta) was written.
This coat of arms could be still seen on a number of coins mintrd in 1986 which were still in circulation until 1 January 2008 when Malta changed its currency to the euro.
These are the arms of Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette, founder of the city, at least in part, because he adopted several other arms that were included by his titles.[2]
Per pale Argent and Gules. These arms may have come from Count Roger Hauteville, as did the national flag.[3]
Gules a hand couped proper clad Sable holding a sword erect Argent surrounded by a wreath Vert.[4]
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