Not many countries located on planet Earth received symbols that became official emblems as a gift. The Cooperative Republic of Guyana is among the lucky ones. Initially, the coat of arms of Guyana was granted by Elizabeth II, Queen of England, and then was approved by the country's parliament. A significant event took place a little less than sixty years ago, on February 25, 1966, together with the acquisition of independence.
The main state symbol of the republic is based on European heraldic traditions, elements found in many coats of arms of mother Europe are used. But there are also national motives and symbols.
Description of the Guyanese coat of arms
The traditional European heraldic elements present on the coat of arms of the former British Guyana include: the classic shield; Knight's helmet; two-color windbreak; animals in the role of supporters; tape with the motto of the state.
At the same time, each element contains traditional Guyanese symbols and images. In the center of the shield there are wavy lines of blue color, reminiscent of the three main rivers of the country (Demerara, Essequibo, Berbis).
Above the waves is an image of a flowering plant. This is Victoria Amazonian (the second name is Victoria regia), a tropical plant that surprises everyone with the size of a water lily flower. It was him that the Guyanese chose as their national symbol and provided a place on the coat of arms. Below the waves is the goatzin tropical bird, which also belongs to the national shrines of the people of Guyana.
Two more representatives of the world of fauna found a place for themselves on the main symbol of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana - these are the jaguars, which had the mission of shield holders. They are the personification of wildlife, strength, speed, courage.
With one paw, jaguars hold a shield, in the other they have objects that speak about the main directions of the country's economy. For example, one of the animals is holding a rice shoot and a sugarcane sprout, since agriculture plays an important role in the economy of Guyana, it is these plants that are planted most often. The second has a pickaxe in its paw - a symbol of the leading mining industry.
The importance of mining is further emphasized by two precious stones located on the sides of the helmet. Its decoration is feathers, which refer to the Indians, the indigenous population of the country. At the same time, the helmet itself acts as a symbol of ties and relationships with Great Britain.
