Coat of arms of Kiribati
The coat of arms of Kiribati, officially known as the National Emblem of Kiribati, is the heraldic symbol representing the Central Pacific island nation of Kiribati. The arms feature a golden-coloured lesser frigatebird over a rising sun on a red background among white and blue stripes and the 3 pairs of stripes represent the three archipelagos of the nation. The 17 rays of the sun represent the 16 Gilbert Islands and Banaba. On the ribbon under the shield is the Gilbertese motto Te Mauri te Raoi ao te Tabomoa.
The original and official version of both the National Flag and Emblem of Kiribati could be obtained from the Office of Te Beretitenti, the Ministry of Justice, or other Government's Ministries and Departments. It is important to note that the original design and specifications of both the flag and emblem are stipulated in the Constitution of Republic of Kiribati.
History
After being drawn by Sir Arthur Grimble in 1932, the coat of arms was granted by the College of Arms on 1 May 1937 to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, then British Colony, which paid £25 for it, and was adapted as the official coat of arms of Kiribati in 1979 with the new motto. The design was partially inspired by the flag of the Company of Scotland. The previous motto of the British Colony was "Fear God, Honour the King".The same motif is seen on the flag of Kiribati.