National Badge of Freice

National Badge of Freice
Adopted	5 September 2022
Blazon	Party per pall inverted, 1st Gules a star 2nd Argent a tree 3rd per fess barry wavy Azure and Argent
Motto	Hore ro e Sasorate (Common: Honour in Service)

The National Badge of Freice (Freician: Foniga Tehua'i Faiose'va) depicts a Tanuta Kulu'va, a shield traditionally used by the highest noble class in official state ceremonies. The shield is quartered into three sections; in the first a star on a red field, the second a tree on a white field, and the third blue waves. An inscription on a white scroll below the shield, Hore ro e Sasorate (Freician, "Honour in Service") is the national motto of Freice. The emblem was established by the National Badge (Adoption and Regulation) Order on 5 September 2022.

History

The Riamese colonial authorities, on annexation of the island, made no attempt to create unique symbols for the island. Until 1902, the Riamese used its own heraldry to represent government authority on the island, and flew the Riamese national flag. Where a separate national symbol was required, the colonial ensign - a red field with a vertical gold war in the fly - with a golden Vallyan Crown in the centre of the red field was used. This flag was also used for other colonies, and was not unique to Freice.

In 1902, a new flag was established based on the colonial ensign. In place of the crown was a white disc bearing the word "FREICE" surmounted by the Vallyan Crown. Although this badge was never officially adopted, it was used as the island's de facto emblem. The flag and emblem were abolished in 1911 when the Hoterallian military formally occupied the island. The new Supreme Authority of Hoterallia in Freice - the governing authority - adopted a seal (mon) showing a black sun with a central floral emblem. This, however, was the seal of the Supreme Authority rather than of the island itself.

On the handover to Riamo in 1931, a coat of arms was adopted for the first time. The shield was divided into two halves (party per pale): the first half features golden work tools on a green field, whilst the second half represented Freice's fishing industry. The shield bearing a crown replaced the previous colonial badge on the colonial flag. On self-government in 1969, the coat of arms was temporarily readopted by the new Freician government until a replacement could be found.

On July 10, 1972, the Chief Herald of Riamo, Joseph Ardalle, formally granted a new badge, whih was adopted by the Assembly of Delegates on August 27, 1972. This emblem, a "complicated and colourful disc of nothingness", was unpopular due to its similarities to federal heraldry, the absence of any Freician cultural representations, and its general physical appearance. Despite this unpopularity, the emblem remained until the government of Rarei Nemiesa, which took power in a coup d'état in July 2021, replaced it with a new badge. The emblem included the Tanuta Kulu'va, an important traditional symbol of Freician nobility. Despite the ostensibly socialist and republican nature of the new government, the shield remained a popular cultural symbol.

Upon the downfall of the Common Wealth Party government in December 2021, the new emblem remained in place. In September 2022, the newly-established General Kiuva voted to adopt an amended design, maintaining the shield and wreath but with the addition of the national motto and a changed blazon. It was formally adopted on 5 September 2022 when Keomoru'lu Aniara Neileka and Speaker of the General Kiuva Siega Pokigna granted assent to the design law.

Description

A breakdown of the emblem of Freice.

The emblem takes inspiration from the federal school of Riamese heraldry. It features as its central element a traditional Freician qaba shield divided into three quarters. In the first quarter is a white star, called the Kaldaz Star, on a red field, which is a traditional symbol of Freice. It is said that the Kaldaz Star would guide fisherman to fish and then back to land, offering good luck and safety. In the second quarter is a tree on a white field, representing the importance of nature and the central role of environmental stewardship in Freician culture. In the third quarter are blue waves on a white field, representing the sea - from which Freice supposedly arose.

Regulations on use

Although the emblem of the nation, the constitution defines it as a government symbol:

"The people of Freice reserve the right to adopt for themselves symbols of nationhood within the Federation."

This regulation was carried over from the previous constitution. Use of the emblem without government permission is illegal.

Gallery

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  Coat of Arms (1931-1980)

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  Emblem (1980-2021)

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  Emblem (2021-2022)

See also

• Flag of Freice
• Freice

External links

• Government of the Country of Freice - Emblem