Coat of Arms of South Africa

The coat of arms is an important visual symbol of the country.

All Scouts promise to do their duty to their country. When preparing to become a Scout, Recruits are required to:

recognise the national animal, flower and Coat of Arms.

Description

The South African coat of arms contains a number of elements representing the country and its people:

At the base, the country's motto, !ke e: /xarra //ke, which means "diverse people unite" in the Khoisan language of the /Xam people.
On each side, a pair of elephant tusks symbolising strength, and two ears of wheat symbolising fertility
A gold shield (the shape is also similar to a traditional drum) with two Khoisan rock art figures greeting each other. These come from a famous rock painting, called the Linton panel, which is now in the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town.
A spear and a knobkierie (club), lying down to symbolise peace.
A protea, the national flower, together with a diamond, symbolising the natural wealth of the country, together forming a pattern of triangles and shapes often found in African art and in popular colours associated with the continent – green, gold, red and black.
A secretary bird with its wings spread proudly and watchfully.
The sun rising above the wings of the secretary bird.