text: Green shield: the fertility of the country's soil and water. Blue and white wavy lines symbolise prosperity-bringing water
  Great Zimbabwe: the historical heritage of Zimbabwe
  Hoe and Rifle: the transition from war to peace
  Wreath of gold and green: the mining and agricultural enterprise which "protects our national economy"
  Star: ancient symbol of hope for the future. Tinctured red to "remind us of the suffering of all our people and the need to avoid any recurrence of that suffering"
  Great Zimbabwe Bird: distinctive national emblem
  History
  Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Mutapa (1569–1760)
  In 1569, Sebastian of Portugal made a grant of arms to the Mwenemutapa. These were blazoned: Gules between two arrows Argent an African hoe barwise bladed Or handled Argent — The shield surmounted by a Crown Oriental. This was probably the first grant of arms to a native of southern Africa; however it is unlikely that these arms were ever actually used by the Mwenemutapa.
  Coat of arms of Rhodesia (1924–1981)
  The coat of arms of Rhodesia was used from 1924–1981, for the self-governing British colony of Southern Rhodesia in 1923–1964 and 1979–1980, known simply as Rhodesia from 1964–1979, Zimbabwe–Rhodesia in 1979, and Zimbabwe from 1980.
  Official authorisation by Royal Warrant for the coat of arms was granted on 11 August 1924.