Coat of arms of Tuvalu

Tuvalu Coat of Arms ("Crest")
250px
Versions
File:Tuvalu Coat of Arms (Crest1).jpg
Details
Armiger	Elizabeth II, Queen of Tuvalu
Adopted	1976
Escutcheon	The description reads: Per fess Azure and Or in chief upon Grass issuant a representation of an Ellice Maneapa or meeting house all proper and in base four Barrulets wavy Azure a Brodure Or charged with Banana Leaves and Mitre Sea Shells placed alternately proper together with the Motto: TUVALU MO TE ATUA (Tuvalu for the Almighty).

Tuvalu's coat of arms, approved by the College of Arms (also known as the College of Heralds), was granted by Royal Warrant on 3 December 1976. The top image contains in fine print the actual descriptive text for the Tuvalu Coat of Arms, as per the Escutcheon, for the purpose of authenticity. (The slightly different color hues between the two crest images is the result of two different scanning devices. The top image's coloration is closest to that of the actual hard copy Royal Warrant; however, both scanned coloration's are acceptable for and in official use.)

All other depictions of the Tuvalu coat of arms ("crest"), except for those shown here, are unofficial and incorrect.

The state motto, Tuvalu mo te Atua (Tuvalu for the Almighty), also serves as the title of the national anthem.

Explanatory Note

The image of the Tuvalu crest previously posted on this page - and elsewhere - entered the popular domain, via website postings, in the mid-late 1990s. Its origin is unknown. Unfortunately, its usage - though incorrect - is common. In fact, images of the incorrect Tuvalu crest are so pervasive across the Internet it has become a 'factoid', something believed to be true, or correct, because it appears in print or other media so often it becomes accepted as fact, but in fact is not the correct and officially sanctioned Tuvalu Coat of Arms. The original and official Tuvalu Coat of Arms depicted here, approved by the College of Arms in December 1976, including all official supporting documentation, is lodged with the Tuvalu National Archives, Tuvalu Government, Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu.

History

An incorrect Tuvalu coat of arms was featured on a new national flag in use from late 1995 to April 1997. Popular sentiment preferred the original flag adopted at independence. The 1995 Act that introduced the new flag was repealed by parliament in 1997, reinstating the original flag.

• 

  The 1995-97 flag, with the incorrect coat of arms.

• 

  Tuvalu's national flag

See also

• Flag of Tuvalu#Historical flags

References

College of Arms, London, UK; National Archives, Tuvalu Government, Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu