The present coat of arms of Sabah is largely based on the coat of arms of the BritishCrown Colony of North Borneo and the state coat of arms first granted on 31 August 1963.
Current coat of arms of Sabah
The current coat of arms of Sabah were officially established on 16 September 1988. The two arms carrying the Sabah State Flag represents unity and harmony among its multiracial citizens towards progress and success. The state motto "Sabah Maju Jaya" means "Let Sabah Prosper".[1]
Chilli red colour represents courage and determination.
Past coats of arms
Coat of arms of the Crown Colony of North Borneo
Description
The design of the arms of the BritishCrown Colony of North Borneo was modified from the arms of the North Borneo Chartered Company (NBCC), which ruled North Borneo from 1882 until 1946 and serves as the basis for both the first and current Sabah state coat of arms. The shield featured the image of a ship saling in front of a mountain, similar to the former badge of the Crown Colony of Labuan which was incorporated into North Borneo on 15 July 1946.
Years in use
1948–1963
Crest
Upon a wreath Azure and Or, two arms embowed that on the dexter side being an arm of a native of North Borneo Proper, that on the sinister side being an arm vested Azure cuffed Argent, the hands grasping a staff proper thereon hoisted a flag flowing to the sinister Or charged with a lion passant guardant Gules.
Escutcheon
Azure in base on waves of the sea in front of a representation of Mount Kinabalu, a sailing yacht in full sail to the sinister on the mizzen the letter “T” Sable all proper, a chief Or thereon a lion passant guardant Gules. The Letter "T" on the mainsail of the schooner commemorates the liberation of Labuan and North Borneo from Japanese occupation by the 9th Australian Division. The "T" represents the shoulder badge of that Division and stands for "Tobruk" where the 9th Division won a historic victory over the Germans in WW2.
Motto
Pergo Et Perago (Latin for I persevere and I achieve)
Coat of arms of the State of Sabah
Description
Similar to the arms of the Crown Colony of North Borneo, but with the first state flag of Sabah replaced the colonial flag, a local arm replaced that of a European and the state motto Sabah Maju Jaya replaced the colonial motto.
Years in use
1963–1982
Crest
Upon a wreath Azure and Or, two arms embowed, the hands grasping a staff thereon hoisted Sabah State Flag flowing to the sinister proper.
Escutcheon
Azure in base on waves of the sea in front of a representation of Mount Kinabalu, a sailing yacht in full sail to the sinister on the mizzen the letter “T” Sable all proper, a chief chevronny reversed of five Gules, Argent, Vert, Or and Azure.
Motto
Sabah Maju Jaya (Let Sabah Prosper)
Coat of arms of the State of Sabah
Description
During the period from 1982 to 1988, the coat of arms of Sabah was a kingfisher. The Sabah state government chose to adopt a state coat of arms that resembled Sarawak's hornbill, in memory of the two Borneo states' common history as vassal states of Brunei in the pre-British times. Sabah adopted a kingfisher because of its indigenous Bajau sea gypsies, who are politically powerful in the state administration along with the Bruneians from Brunei, identify with the bird to a great extent. Both of the indigenous were traditionally fishermen, and amongst Borneo natives, birds are considered messengers of the gods. The omen bird for the fishermen is the kingfisher. The majority native tribe, the interior-dwelling Kadazans or Dusuns, identify with the kingfisher to a lesser extent, as the bird is commonly found amongst their main occupational group, the rice farmers.[2]
Years in use
1982–1988
Escutcheon
Tierced per pall, gules, argent and azure.
Supporters
A Kingfisher proper displayed, clutching a scroll of state motto.
Motto
Sabah Maju Jaya (Let Sabah Prosper)
Other elements
Two mirroring paddy plants (15 grains each), two kingfisher's wings (15 feathers each), kingfisher's tail (5 feathers).
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Coat of arms of Kota Kinabalu
Coat of arms of Sandakan
Coat of arms of Tawau
