Last modified: 2025-05-24 by bruce berry
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image by
Zoltan Horvath, 27 Jun 2024
With the change in
the national flag on 04 October 2006, there were also been some colour
modifications to the Coat of Arms. The design remains the same as that
used since 1966 but the crocodile is now blue; the top of the base is also blue,
the scroll is now brown with the motto in white.
Bruce Berry, 22 Nov 2006
The crocodile on a Basotho shield is the symbol of the
dynasty of Lesotho's largest ethnicity, the Bakoena. Behind the shield there are
two crossed weapons, an assegai (lance) and a knobkierie (club). To the left and
right of the shield are supporters of the shield, two Basotho horses. In the
foreground there is a ribbon with the national motto of Lesotho: Khotso, Pula,
Nala (Sesotho, to English: Peace, Rain, Prosperity).
Zoltan Horvath, 27 Jun 2024
![[Lesotho Coat of Arms]](../images/l/ls)1966.gif)
image by Zoltan Horvath, 27 Jun 2024
On independence on 04 October 1966 the Kingdom of Lesotho adopted a new
Coat of Arms. Details of the new symbols were published in the Government
Gazette Extraordinary of 30 September 1966 and are as follows:
ARMS: On a Lesotho shield Or, a crocodile embowed proper; behind the
shield a thyrsus of Ostrich feathers erect and a barbed assegai and knobkerrie
in saltire Or.
SUPPORTERS: On a compartment below the shield representing the summit
of Thaba Bosiu, two horses proper.
MOTTO: Khotso Pula Nala (Peace, Rain, Prosperity)
Bruce Berry, 19 Feb 1998
Although the flag changed in 1987, the coat of arms remained the same.
Nthakoana, 21 May 1998
![[Basutoland Coat of Arms]](../images/l/ls)bas.jpg)
image from Ralf Hartemink's
website.
The Arms of Basutoland were granted by Royal Warrant on 20 March 1951 with
the following description:
ARMS: Vert, a crocodile proper and in chief a fleece between two garbs Or.
CREST: Upon a wreath of the colours, in front of a spear and knobkerrie in
saltire proper, a traditional Basuto shield pied Argent and Sable with a plumed
spine erect, charged with the Imperial State Crown, proper.
MOTTO: Khotso Ke Nala (Peace is Prosperity).
Bruce Berry, 19 Feb 1998