The coat of arms of Martinique was approved on August 4, 1766 . The emblem is a French shield , consisting of 4 azure fields separated by a silver cross. Each field depicts a snake (local rattlesnake ) in the form of a mirror-inverted Latin letter “L”. The shape of the snakes is explained by the fact that while Martinique was dependent on Saint Lucia ( French Sainte-Lucie ), until the latter became British possession.
The coat of arms of the island is identical to its flag. Motto: “La collectivité au service du pays” (“Together in the service of the country”).
Like the emblems of other departments in France , this is just a stylized emblem.
| Coat of arms of Martinique | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Approved by | August 4, 1766 |
| Shield | French |
| Motto | La collectivité au service du pays |