| Coat of arms of Haiti | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Armiger | Republic of Haiti |
| Adopted | 1986 |
| Shield | A palm tree surmounted by aliberty cap on a stake, proper[1] |
| Supporters | Atrophy of six rifles, six civil flags, two axes, two bugles, and a drum between two cannons pointing outwards on their gun-carriages, thereon two powder-bags, on the dexter one an infantry-hat, on the sinister one a cavalry-hat, between two piles of cannonballs and two anchors, all proper |
| Compartment | A grassy ground, marked by two pennons, proper |
| Motto | L'Union fait la force (French for 'Unity makes strength')[2] |
Thecoat of arms of Haiti is thenational coat of arms of theRepublic of Haiti.[2] It was originally introduced in 1807, and it has appeared in its current form since 1986. Since this Haitiannational symbol does not conform to the rules ofheraldry for a traditionalcoat of arms, then it could be considered anational emblem instead (national emblem of Haiti).
It has six drapedflags of the country, three on each side, which are located behind apalm tree andcannons on a greenlawn.[1] Upon the lawn are various items, including adrum,bugles,cannonballs and shipanchors. Above the palm tree is aliberty cap placed as a symbol of freedom.
The ribbon bears the mottoL'Union fait la force (French for 'Unity makes strength'), which is also the motto of several other countries. This should not be confused with thenational motto of Haiti, which according to theConstitution of Haiti isLiberté, égalité, fraternité (French for 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity').
The oldest use of a symbol for Haiti is known since 1807. The symbol shows several national flags, with two cannons and palm trees. The symbol indicates the battle for independence of the republic. The motto, in French, means 'Strength through unity'. The use of the symbol was interrupted twice; once was during the period ofHenri I. The then presidentHenri Christophe declared himself as the King of Haiti and adopted a Royal Coat of Arms. On the yellow shield of the arm there was a phoenix rising from its flames with five-pointed stars around it, and the mottoJe renais de mes cendres (I will rise in my ashes) inscribed on a ribbon outlining the shield. Two royally crowned lions supported both sides of the shield, and the mottoDieu ma cause et mon épée (God, my cause and my sword) was placed on another ribbon at the bottom. In 1814 Henri I slightly changed his Royal Arm, the lions were removed and the motto was changed to a Latin one:Ex cineribus nascitur (Reborn from the ashes).[1] Another change occurred in 1849, when President GeneralFaustin Soulouque crowned himself as Emperor Faustin I. He adopted new Imperial arms, showing two cannons and a French imperial eagle. Two lions were again used as supporters and the whole was placed in a purple mantle, with a motto similar to the one Henri I used:Dieu, ma patrie et mon épée (God, my country and my sword). The emperor was forced to leave the country in 1859, and the old symbol was later restored. Ever since the composition has been the same, but the colors and items have changed somewhat.[3]
The coat of arms is on the nationalflag of Haiti, but not on itscivil flag.
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