Description

The shield, which is surmounted by a red lion and supported by two thylacines, features a sheaf of wheat, hops, a ram, and apples. These are all examples of Tasmanian industry.

The state’s motto, Ubertas et Fidelitas (Latin for ‘Fertility and Faithfulness’), is written across a ribbon below the shield.

History

Tasmania’s coat of arms was granted by King George V of England in May 1917.

Its use in recent times, particularly in less formal contexts, has frequently been surplanted by a ‘logo’ image of a Tasmanian tiger peeking through tall grass.

Proclamation of Tasmania’s coat of arms

Note the use of the following heraldry terms in the below:

  • argent – silver, although in heraldry often represented by white
  • armorial – of, or relating to heraldry, or to heraldic arms
  • azure – blue
  • barry – a field divided transversely into several equal parts, and consisting of two different tinctures interchangeably disposed
  • dexter – situated on or being the side of a shield on the wearer’s right and the observer’s left
  • fesse – an ordinary consisting of a broad horizontal band across a shield
  • garb – a sheaf or bundle
  • gules – tincture red, indicated in seals and engraved figures of escutcheons by parallel vertical lines
  • ordinary – a very common bearing, usually bounded by straight lines, but sometimes by one of the heraldic lines, wavy, nebulé, or the like
  • saltire – an ordinary (geometric design) in the shape of an X, usually occupying the entire field in which it is placed
  • statant – standing still with all four feet/paws on the ground
  • tincture – one of the metals, colours, or furs used in heraldic achievements

Premier’s Office,
Hobart, 7 March, 1919.

HIS Excellency the Governor directs the publication for general information of the enclosed copy of the Royal Warrant granting Armorial Ensigns and Supporters to the State of Tasmania.

By His Excellency’s Command,
W. H. LEE, Premier.

George the Fifth by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India: To Our Trusty and Well Beloved Edmund Bernard Talbot, Esquire (commonly called Lord Edmund Bernard Talbot), Member of Our Royal Victorian Order, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Deputy to Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin Bernard Marmaduke, Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal and Our Hereditary Marshal of England Greeting:

Whereas for the greater honour and distinction of Our State of Tasmania We are desirous that Armorial Ensigns and Supporters should be assigned for that State: Know Ye therefore that We of Our Princely Grace and Special Favour have granted and assigned and by these Presents do grant and assign the following Armorial Ensigns for the said State of Tasmania that is to say:- Quarterly Gules and barry wavy Argent and Azure a Fesse of the second charged with a Ram statant proper between in chief a Garb and a Thunderbolt and in base four Apples and a Branch of Hops all Or; For the Crest on a Wreath Argent and Gules: A Lion statant Gules resting the dexter forepaw on a Spade and a Pick-axe in saltire proper: And for Supporters, on either side A Tasmanian Tiger proper, with the Motto “Ubertas et Fidelitas” as the same are in the painting hereunto annexed more plainly – depicted to be borne for the said State of Tasmania upon Seals Shields, Banners or otherwise according to the Laws of Arms.

Our Will and Pleasure therefore is that You Edmund Bernard Talbot (commonly called Lord Edmund Bernard Talbot) Deputy to Our said Earl Marshal, to whom the cognizance of matters of this nature doth properly belong do require and command that this Our Concession and Declaration be recorded in Our College of Arms in order that Our Officers of Arms and all other Public Functionaries whom it may concern may take full notice and have knowledge thereof: And for so doing this shall be your Warrant.

Given at Our Court at Saint James’s this twenty first day of May
1917 in the Eighth year of Our Reign.
By His Majesty’s Command

Walter H. Long.

Bibliography

TASMANIAN TIMES: A New State Flag for Tasmania.