Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory

The coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory was granted in 1990 on the 25th anniversary of the territory's establishment.

Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory
Versions
Escutcheon-only version
Armiger	Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory Monarch of the British Indian Ocean Territory
Adopted	1990
Crest	Naval crown through which rises a red tower bearing the territory's flag
Shield	In chief the Union Jack proper, in base azure, Palm tree and St. Edward's Crown on a base of three wavy lines argent, a sun in splendour or in the canton
Supporters	Hawksbill turtle and a green turtle
Compartment	Sand and seashells
Motto	In tutela nostra Limuria Limuria is in our charge/trust
Use	Coat of arms of the British Indian Ocean Territory

The centrepiece of the arms, the shield, bears a palm tree and St. Edward's Crown on a base of three white wavy lines representing the ocean, a sun in splendour in the upper-left corner, and the Union Flag in a chief at the top. Two sea turtles are used as supporters (a hawksbill turtle and a green turtle), representing the local native wildlife. The crest comprises a naval crown through which rises a red tower, with a crosslet loophole shaped like the Holy Cross, bearing the territory's flag; there is no helm or mantling.

The motto is In tutela nostra Limuria, Latin for “Limuria is in our charge/trust”. This latinised name refers to the non-existent continent of Lemuria, once thought to occupy the Indian Ocean.

The palm tree and royal crown also feature in the flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory.

See also

• Gallery of coats of arms of the United Kingdom and dependencies