The GOB website (www.belize.gov.bz) states, ?The Coat of Arms embodies an important aspect of the history of Belize, as the mahogany industry formed the basis of our economy in the 18thand 19thcenturies.?

The motto is: Under the shade of the tree I flourish – Sub Umbra Floreo.

Who was it that flourished under the shade of the tree during that era? That ?I? did not represent those who labored in the logwood and mahogany camps, but the colonizers, who flourished in those days on the backs of the slaves?who paid with blood, sweat, tears and sometimes their lives to enrich the British.

Coat of Arms of British Honduras

Granted by Royal Warrant on January 28, 1907

ARMS: Per chevron and in chief per pale, argent, or an azure, in the dexter chief a squaring axe in bend sinister, surmounted by a paddle in bend. On the sinister chief a beating axe in bend, surmounted by a saw in bend sinister, and in base on waves of the sea a ship in full sail, all proper, and a canton of the Union device.

CREST: On wreaths of colours a mahogany tree proper.

SUPPORTERS: (Dexter) A Negro, proper, breeches argent, holding over his shoulder in the dexter hand a beating axe, as in the Arms (Sinister). A like Negro holding over his shoulder in his sinister hand a paddle, as in the Arms.

MOTTO: Sub umbra floreo [Under the share of the tree I flourish]

(A color version of the Coat of Arms can be seen upstairs the Thurton Library on North Front Street. This version came from the Archives Department in Belmopan. The text was taken from the Thurton Library version.)