The coat of arms of the Congo has many modifications, as the history of this country is full of bizarre pages. Even since 1997, when a new state, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was proclaimed on the ruins of Zaire, the Congo's coat of arms has changed several times. The last changes to the coat of arms were approved in 2006.
This coat of arms has an image of a leopard's head, an elephant tusk, and a spear. Below are the words of the national motto - Justice, Peace, Labor.
Emblem changes
In 2003, a coat of arms was adopted, in which there was an image of three hands, which were surrounded by ears. Above was the image of a lion's head, and below - the same motto.
In 1999, the coat of arms of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was adopted. It had a light blue shield, inside which was a large yellow star. Above it were six smaller stars. The coat of arms was introduced simultaneously with the flag.
Throughout 1964-1997. there was a coat of arms of Zaire. It also has a tape-inscription, on which it was written on a white background and was placed under the spears.
Coat of arms of the Republic of the Congo
It looks like a shield in which a green belt and a rebellious lion are placed on a golden field. The lion's tongue is green. The lion holds in his hand a black torch with a red flame. The shield is topped with a stylized golden crown and the inscription "Republic of the Congo" is placed on it.
African elephants that emerge from the shield act as supporters in this coat of arms. Elephants on the coat of arms are black. At the bottom of the coat of arms there is an inscription - "Unity, labor, progress".
The meaning of the symbols of the modern Congolese coat of arms
The main symbol of the Congo coat of arms is the head of a leopard. It is a symbol of power and, moreover, a mystical sign. In many traditional societies in Africa, the leopard is perceived as a mystical animal. There are known beliefs that the so-called leopard people lived on the territory of the country, committing mysterious murders.
The elephant tusk is a symbol of the country's natural wealth, its natural resources, as well as its power. For many African countries, such a symbol is considered traditional.
The spear is a traditional military symbol. It symbolizes the desire of the people of the Congo for independence and the willingness to fight for the freedom of their country.
The motto on the coat of arms is written in French, which is the official language today. Congo is the name of the former Belgian colony.
