Coat of arms of Singapore: Difference between revisions
Hildanknight (talk | contribs) The lead now contains slightly more detail about the history/development of the coat of arms, as requested by the GA reviewer. |
Ohconfucius (talk | contribs) |
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[[File:Coat of arms of Singapore.png|thumb|The coat of arms of Singapore]] |
[[File:Coat of arms of Singapore.png|thumb|The coat of arms of Singapore]] |
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== History == |
== History == |
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When Singapore achieved the right of self-government in 1959, the |
When Singapore achieved the right of self-government in 1959, the Prime Minister [[Lee Kuan Yew]] needed a state coat of arms, among other symbols, to be created for the new state. Before self-governance, the coat of arms used by Singapore was the [[Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom|coat of arms of the United Kingdom]].<ref name=singapedia>{{cite web|url=http://wwww.singapedia.com.sg/entries/s/state_crest.html |title=State Crest |accessdate=25 December 2008 |year=2008 |work=Singapore: The Encyclopedia |publisher=Editions Didier Millet and the National Heritage Board }}</ref> A committee was formed to create the state symbols, which was headed by deputy prime minister [[Toh Chin Chye]]. Just like with the national flag, Toh wanted the state symbols of Singapore to signify the united multi-ethnic society of the country. In the span of two months, the state coat of arms and the flag were completed by Toh and his committee. A law establishing the state symbols of Singapore was presented to the National Assembly by the Minister of Culture, [[S Rajaratnam]]. The National Assembly approved it in November 1959. On 3 December 1959, the state coat of arms, flag and anthem was presented to the people of Singapore for the first time.<ref name=infopedia>{{cite web|url=http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_54_2005-01-25.html |title=National coat of arms (State crest) |accessdate=25 December 2008 |author=Zaubidah Mohamed |date=9 June 2003 |work=Infopedia |publisher=National Library Board Singapore }}</ref> |
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When tasked with the creation of the state symbols, Toh said in a 1989 interview that "[A]part from the anthem we have to produce the flag and the crest" and he felt that the new flag of Singapore should be flying next to the [[Union Jack]].<ref name=toh>{{Cite document|last=Toh|first=Chin Chye|authorlink=Toh Chin Chye|title=Dr. Toh Chin Chye [oral history interview, accession no. A1063, reel 1]|publisher=National Archives of Singapore|year=1989|postscript=.}}: {{cite web|title=State symbols|url=http://www.a2o.com.sg/a2o/public/html/etc/07_symbol.htm|publisher=Access to Archives Online (a2o), National Archives of Singapore|accessdate=2007 |
When tasked with the creation of the state symbols, Toh said in a 1989 interview that "[A]part from the anthem we have to produce the flag and the crest" and he felt that the new flag of Singapore should be flying next to the [[Union Jack]].<ref name=toh>{{Cite document|last=Toh|first=Chin Chye|authorlink=Toh Chin Chye|title=Dr. Toh Chin Chye [oral history interview, accession no. A1063, reel 1]|publisher=National Archives of Singapore|year=1989|postscript=.}}: {{cite web|title=State symbols|url=http://www.a2o.com.sg/a2o/public/html/etc/07_symbol.htm|publisher=Access to Archives Online (a2o), National Archives of Singapore|accessdate=4 November 2007}}</ref> Toh further stated about the design of the state coat of arms: |
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{{quote|In the case of the state crest, again we got the five stars and the new moon… A lion next to the tiger. Tiger of course is a more local animal than the lion. The old City Council had a lion. It did merge with our own ideas of self governing of Singapore.<ref name=toh/>}} |
{{quote|In the case of the state crest, again we got the five stars and the new moon… A lion next to the tiger. Tiger of course is a more local animal than the lion. The old City Council had a lion. It did merge with our own ideas of self governing of Singapore.<ref name=toh/>}} |
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== Symbolism == |
== Symbolism == |
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The central emblem of the coat of arms is a red shield with five white stars resting above a white crescent, similar to the crescent and stars used on the [[Flag of Singapore|Singapore flag]] and other national symbols, such as the [[Red Ensign of Singapore|national ensign for civilian ships]]. Red symbolises "universal brotherhood and equality of man", and white, "pervading and everlasting purity and virtue". The crescent "represents a young nation on the ascendant", while the stars "stand for the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality".<ref>Second Schedule of the [http://www.sg/explore/Singapore_Arms_And_Flag_And_National_Anthem_Rules.pdf Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules] (Cap. 296, R 1, 2004 Rev. Ed.), as amended by the [http://www.sg/explore/Singapore_Arms_and_Flag_and_Nation_Anthem(Amendment)Rules2007.pdf Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem (Amendment) Rules 2007] (S 377/2007). See also {{cite book|last=Lee|first=Kuan Yew|authorlink=Lee Kuan Yew|title=The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew|location=Singapore|publisher=Times Editions|year=1998|isbn=9812049835 (hbk.)|pages=342–343}}</ref> The supporters of the shield are a lion and a tiger; the tiger |
The central emblem of the coat of arms is a red shield with five white stars resting above a white crescent, similar to the crescent and stars used on the [[Flag of Singapore|Singapore flag]] and other national symbols, such as the [[Red Ensign of Singapore|national ensign for civilian ships]]. Red symbolises "universal brotherhood and equality of man", and white, "pervading and everlasting purity and virtue". The crescent "represents a young nation on the ascendant", while the stars "stand for the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality".<ref>Second Schedule of the [http://www.sg/explore/Singapore_Arms_And_Flag_And_National_Anthem_Rules.pdf Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules] (Cap. 296, R 1, 2004 Rev. Ed.), as amended by the [http://www.sg/explore/Singapore_Arms_and_Flag_and_Nation_Anthem(Amendment)Rules2007.pdf Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem (Amendment) Rules 2007] (S 377/2007). See also {{cite book|last=Lee|first=Kuan Yew|authorlink=Lee Kuan Yew|title=The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew|location=Singapore|publisher=Times Editions|year=1998|isbn=9812049835 (hbk.)|pages=342–343}}</ref> The supporters of the shield are a lion and a tiger; the tiger symbolises the historical connections to [[Malaysia]] and the lion represents Singapore.<ref name=arms>{{cite web|url=http://www.sg/explore/symbols_coatarms.htm |title=The National Coat of Arms (State Crest) |accessdate=24 December 2008 |year=2004 |publisher=Ministry of Information,Communications and the Arts }}</ref> Below the supporters is a blue ribbon with the national motto, "Majulah Singapura" written in gold.<ref name=arms/> "Majulah Singapura", which is [[Malay language|Malay]] for "Onward Singapore", is also the title of the [[Majulah Singapura|national anthem of Singapore]]. |
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== Uses == |
== Uses == |
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[[File:Golden coat of arms of Singapore (cropped) - 20081001.jpg|thumb|The coat of arms of Singapore depicted on the main gate of the [[Istana (Singapore)|Istana]]]] |
[[File:Golden coat of arms of Singapore (cropped) - 20081001.jpg|thumb|The coat of arms of Singapore depicted on the main gate of the [[Istana (Singapore)|Istana]]]] |
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Starting in 1985, the [[Monetary Authority of Singapore]] (MAS) began to issue their second series of coins for circulation. On the reverse of the coins, the coat of arms is placed, surrounded by the name of Singapore in the four official languages (Chinese, Malay, Tamil and English) and the year of minting. In 1987, the dollar coin was circulated, also with this same pattern.<ref name=coin>{{cite web|url=http://www.mas.gov.sg/currency/currency_info/coins/second_series/Singapore_Circulation_Coins_Second_Series.html |title=Singapore Circulation Coins |
Starting in 1985, the [[Monetary Authority of Singapore]] (MAS) began to issue their second series of coins for circulation. On the reverse of the coins, the coat of arms is placed, surrounded by the name of Singapore in the four official languages (Chinese, Malay, Tamil and English) and the year of minting. In 1987, the dollar coin was circulated, also with this same pattern.<ref name=coin>{{cite web|url=http://www.mas.gov.sg/currency/currency_info/coins/second_series/Singapore_Circulation_Coins_Second_Series.html |title=Singapore Circulation Coins – Second Series |accessdate=24 December 2008 |date=19 March 2007 |publisher=Monetary Authority of Singapore }}</ref> Also, according to the MAS, the coat of arms appears on all Singaporean banknotes since the Orchid series of 1967.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mas.gov.sg/currency/currency_info/notes/orchid_series/Singapore_Circulation_Notes_Orchid_Series.html |title=Singapore Circulation Notes – Orchid Series |accessdate=24 December 2008 |date=19 March 2007 |publisher=Monetary Authority of Singapore }}</ref> State decorations of Singapore also use depictions of the coat of arms on the medallions. For example, the [[Darjah Utama Temasek]] and the [[Sijil Kemuliaan]] uses the full achievement of arms on the medallion<ref name=temasek>{{cite web|url=http://www.pmo.gov.sg/NationalHonoursandAwards/Darjah+Utama+Temasek+(The+Order+of+Temasek).htm |title=National Honours and Awards – The Order of Temasek |accessdate=24 December 2008 |date=11 December 2008 |publisher=Office of the Prime Minister of Singapore }}</ref><ref name=certhonour>{{cite web|url=http://www.pmo.gov.sg/NationalHonoursandAwards/Sijil+Kemuliaan+(The+Certificate+of+Honour).htm |title=National Honours and Awards – The Certificate of Honour |accessdate=24 December 2008 |date=26 September 2008 |publisher=Office of the Prime Minister of Singapore }}</ref>, while the [[Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang]] uses the shield on the front of the medal.<ref name=cemerlang>{{cite web|url=http://www.pmo.gov.sg/NationalHonoursandAwards/Darjah+Utama+Bakti+Cemerlang+(The+Distinguished+Service+Order).htm |title=National Honours and Awards – The Distinguished Service Order |accessdate=24 December 2008 |date=26 September 2008 |publisher=Office of the Prime Minister of Singapore }}</ref> |
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== Guidelines == |
== Guidelines == |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 05:07, 27 August 2011
The coat of arms of Singapore was adopted in 1959, the year Singapore became self-governing within the British Empire, and was created by a committee, headed by then deputy prime minister Toh Chin Chye, that also designed the national flag and the national anthem. Its central emblem is a red shield with a white crescent and five white stars (representing various national ideals including multiculturalism), supported by a lion (representing Singapore) and a tiger (representing Malaysia); below them is a blue ribbon with "Majulah Singapura" written in gold. While the use of the coat of arms is restricted to the government, the symbol enjoys wide use on the national currency, state decorations and appears on the cover of the national passport.
History
When Singapore achieved the right of self-government in 1959, the Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew needed a state coat of arms, among other symbols, to be created for the new state. Before self-governance, the coat of arms used by Singapore was the coat of arms of the United Kingdom.[1] A committee was formed to create the state symbols, which was headed by deputy prime minister Toh Chin Chye. Just like with the national flag, Toh wanted the state symbols of Singapore to signify the united multi-ethnic society of the country. In the span of two months, the state coat of arms and the flag were completed by Toh and his committee. A law establishing the state symbols of Singapore was presented to the National Assembly by the Minister of Culture, S Rajaratnam. The National Assembly approved it in November 1959. On 3 December 1959, the state coat of arms, flag and anthem was presented to the people of Singapore for the first time.[2]
When tasked with the creation of the state symbols, Toh said in a 1989 interview that "[A]part from the anthem we have to produce the flag and the crest" and he felt that the new flag of Singapore should be flying next to the Union Jack.[3] Toh further stated about the design of the state coat of arms:
In the case of the state crest, again we got the five stars and the new moon… A lion next to the tiger. Tiger of course is a more local animal than the lion. The old City Council had a lion. It did merge with our own ideas of self governing of Singapore.[3]
Symbolism
The central emblem of the coat of arms is a red shield with five white stars resting above a white crescent, similar to the crescent and stars used on the Singapore flag and other national symbols, such as the national ensign for civilian ships. Red symbolises "universal brotherhood and equality of man", and white, "pervading and everlasting purity and virtue". The crescent "represents a young nation on the ascendant", while the stars "stand for the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality".[4] The supporters of the shield are a lion and a tiger; the tiger symbolises the historical connections to Malaysia and the lion represents Singapore.[5] Below the supporters is a blue ribbon with the national motto, "Majulah Singapura" written in gold.[5] "Majulah Singapura", which is Malay for "Onward Singapore", is also the title of the national anthem of Singapore.
Uses
_-_20081001.jpg)
Starting in 1985, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) began to issue their second series of coins for circulation. On the reverse of the coins, the coat of arms is placed, surrounded by the name of Singapore in the four official languages (Chinese, Malay, Tamil and English) and the year of minting. In 1987, the dollar coin was circulated, also with this same pattern.[6] Also, according to the MAS, the coat of arms appears on all Singaporean banknotes since the Orchid series of 1967.[7] State decorations of Singapore also use depictions of the coat of arms on the medallions. For example, the Darjah Utama Temasek and the Sijil Kemuliaan uses the full achievement of arms on the medallion[8][9], while the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang uses the shield on the front of the medal.[10]
Guidelines
According to the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules, the use of the coat of arms is restricted to the government. Without explicit permission from the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA), a person or group are not allow to physically print, manufacture, display or selling anything that has a depiction of the coat of arms and not allow to cause such actions to happen. It is also forbidden to use a symbol that can be easily mistaken for the coat of arms. Persons who wish to use the coat of arms in a literary work must also obtain permission before use from MICA. The only exceptions provided by the Rules is the arms can be used by government officials and ministries on their building exteriors and on printed documents.[11]
References
- ^ "State Crest". Singapore: The Encyclopedia. Editions Didier Millet and the National Heritage Board. 2008. Retrieved 25 December 2008.
- ^ Zaubidah Mohamed (9 June 2003). "National coat of arms (State crest)". Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 25 December 2008.
- ^ a b Toh, Chin Chye (1989). "Dr. Toh Chin Chye [oral history interview, accession no. A1063, reel 1]" (Document). National Archives of Singapore.
{{cite document}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link): "State symbols". Access to Archives Online (a2o), National Archives of Singapore. Retrieved 4 November 2007. - ^ Second Schedule of the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules (Cap. 296, R 1, 2004 Rev. Ed.), as amended by the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem (Amendment) Rules 2007 (S 377/2007). See also Lee, Kuan Yew (1998). The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore: Times Editions. pp. 342–343. ISBN 9812049835 (hbk.).
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: invalid character (help) - ^ a b "The National Coat of Arms (State Crest)". Ministry of Information,Communications and the Arts. 2004. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ "Singapore Circulation Coins – Second Series". Monetary Authority of Singapore. 19 March 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ "Singapore Circulation Notes – Orchid Series". Monetary Authority of Singapore. 19 March 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ "National Honours and Awards – The Order of Temasek". Office of the Prime Minister of Singapore. 11 December 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ "National Honours and Awards – The Certificate of Honour". Office of the Prime Minister of Singapore. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ "National Honours and Awards – The Distinguished Service Order". Office of the Prime Minister of Singapore. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Rules (Cap. 296, R 1, 2004 Rev. Ed.), as amended by the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem (Amendment) Rules 2007 (S 377/2007).
