Coat of arms of Lesotho
| Coat of arms of Lesotho | |
|---|---|
| File:Coats of arms of Lesotho.svg | |
| Versions | |
.svg) 1966-2006 | |
| Armiger | King Letsie III |
| Adopted | 4 October 1968 |
| Shield | Upon a Basotho shield: Gules a crocodile embowed Azure |
| Supporters | Two Basotho horses proper |
| Compartment | The summit of Thaba Bosiu |
| Motto | Khotso, Pula, Nala "Peace, Rain, Prosperity" |
| Other elements | Behind the escutcheon, a thyrsus of Ostrich feathers erect and a barbed assegai and knobkerrie per saltire. |
The coat of arms of Lesotho was adopted on 4 October 1966 following independence. Pictured is a crocodile on a Basotho shield. This is the symbol of the dynasty of Lesotho's largest ethnicity, the Sotho. 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 Basutho horses. In the foreground there is a ribbon with the national motto of Lesotho: Khotso, Pula, Nala (Sotho, to English: Peace, Rain, Prosperity). The crocodile on the shield has been retained from the arms of Basutoland, the predecessor to Lesotho.