Coat of arms of the Cook Islands
| Coat of arms of the Cook Islands | |
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| Versions | |
 Emblem of the Cook Islands Federation | |
| Armiger | Cook Islands |
| Supporters | Flying fish (maroro) and white tern (kakaia) |
The coat of arms of the Cook Islands is the heraldic symbol representing the South Pacific island country of the Cook Islands.
History
The coat of arms was designed by Mataiapo Metuakore Teremoana Ngametua Tutakiao Kora BEM, who was also known as Papa Motu Kora.[1][2] The arms were adopted on 4 August 1978.[3]
Description
The arms have a shield as its focal point. The shield is blue with fifteen white stars arranged in a circle, as found on the national flag and representing the 15 major islands,[3] and is supported by a flying fish (maroro) and a white tern (kakaia). The helmet is an ariki head-dress (pare kura) of red feathers, symbolising the importance of the traditional rank system, and the name of the nation is on a scroll below the shield. The achievement is augmented by a cross and a Rarotongan club (momore taringavaru) used by orators during traditional discourses, respectively symbolizing Christianity and the richness of Cook Islands' tradition, placed in saltire behind the shield.[1][4]
Blazon
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References
- 1 2 "Description of the Cook Islands Coat of Arms". Office of the Prime Minister, Cook Islands. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
- ↑ Melina Etches (16 March 2021). "Coat of Arms designer Papa Motu Kora laid to rest". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- 1 2 3 de Vries, Hubert (18 April 2012). "NEW ZEALAND Part 3: Territories | Cook Islands". National Arms and Emblems Past and Present (www.hubert-herald.nl). Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ Minahan, James (2010). The complete guide to national symbols and emblems, Volume One. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood Press. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-313-34498-5. Retrieved 16 May 2026.