Liberia is Africa’s oldest republic, but is of course better known for the bitter conflicts that raged through Liberia and its neighbours throughout the 1990s. In preparing to go to Liberia in under 4 week’s time, I came across the Liberian Coat of Arms, the symbolism of which seems poignant for this damaged and broken country, and with the current focus on rebuilding and reconciliation.
The Coat of Arms consists of a shield containing a picture of 19th century ship arriving in Liberia, symbolising the ships which brought freed slaves back from the United States to Liberia in 1822, and led to the founding the Republic of Liberia in 1847 with the support of the American government.
Above the shield the national motto of Liberia appears on a scroll:
The love of liberty brought us here.
The wheel barrow and shovel represent the dignity of labour and hard work through which the nation will prosper. The rising sun in the background represents the birth of a nation, and the palm tree, the nation’s most versatile source of food, represents prosperity.
The white dove with a scroll represents the breath of peace.
