TIMOR LESTE
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The first
Europeans to arrive in the area were the Portuguese, who landed near modern
Pante Macassar. In 1556 a group of Dominican
friars established their missionary work in the area. In 1640 the Dutch V.O.C. arrived on the island and
settled in the west. The Portuguese-Dutch border on the island was
established in 1859 and again in 1893 but was ratified only in 1914. East
Timor was usually governed as a part of Portuguese India or Macao. In 1859,
after the Dutch-Portuguese Treaty it became a Portuguese colony and was
promoted to a Portuguese Province on 11 June 1950. In 1975, as a result of
the Carnation Revolution (Revolução dos Cravos) of 25 April, three
independence movements sprang up. A Democratic Republic of East-Timor was
proclaimed on 28 November 1975 by the Frente Revolucionaria de Timor-Leste
Independente (Fretilin) but on the following 7 December Indonesian troops
invaded the country. On 17 July 1976 East Timor was annexated by Indonesia
and became its 27th province with the name of Timor Timur. The
Fretilin, directed by Xanana Gusmao fought a guerilla against Indonesian
domination and was supported by U.N. (12 December 1975, 4 November 1982) and
Portuguese resolutions (17 juli 1986). After Indonesia was forced by UN troops to leave the country in 1999 the Indonesian army untertook punitive expeditions which devastated the country. On 20 May 2002 the UN Interim Government was replaced by secretary-general Kofi Anan by a sovereign government in Dili. Xanana Gusmao became its first president . |
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1520-1975 |
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The arms
of Portugal and the arms of the Portuguese Empire were also valid on Portuguese Timor. In 1933
the arms of Portugal for the Province of Timor were as follows:
Província Timor [1] In 1933 a
coat of arms for the colony was designed:
Arms: Girony of eight pieces Sable and Argent, a
lily-cross counterchanged; within a bordure Or, charged with five quinas
escutcheons alternating with five crosses of the Order of Christ. Crown: A portuguese mural crown of five towers, Or Motto: TIMOR On 8 May
1935 an achievement for the colony was adopted. It is: Arms: tierced embowed, the first of the
quinas of Portugal, the second girony of eight pieces Sable and Argent,
a lily-cross counterchanged charged with an escutcheon Azure, five balls
Argent; the base barry wavy Argent and Vert. Crown: A mural crown of five towers
charged with an armillary-sphere Gules, on the walls four shields of the arms
of the Order of Christ. Supporter: An armillary-sphere Or. [2] |
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Coat of arms of Portuguese Timor 1935-1975 The arms of
Portuguese Timor had the same format as the other Portuguese colonies (later:
overseas provinces) the territory being represented by the black and white
Dominican cross (a recognition of the role played by the Dominican Order in
converting the Timorese population to Catholicism). [3] The use
of the achievement was continued for the Portuguese Province Overseas. The
legend on the ribbon was changed into: PROVÍN.
PORTUGUESA DE TIMOR. |
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1975-1976 |
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Flag of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, hoisted on 28 of
November 1975. The flag
is red with a equilateral yellow triangle at the mast end, charged with a lower
black triangle with a white five-pointed star. The flag
was only used officially for a few days as the Indonesian Army invaded East
Timor on the following 7 December. No emblem
or seal of the First Republic are known. |
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1976-1999 |
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An
achievement for the Indonesian Propinsi Timor Timur appeared in 1983
but no decree about its adoption is available. The achievement was published on
a series of postage stamps of that year. It is in the Indonesian tradition.
It is: Arms: Azure, a Timorese crown proper. Crest: An escutcheon Azure, a
five-pointed star Or. Garland: An ear of rice with 17 grains and
a branch of cotton with seven flowers, in base a crescent (kaibauk) Or
with the name TIMOR TIMUR in red lettering, and a sceptre and a sword
in saltire; all on a disc of the national colors of Indonesia. Motto: MOURI OTAS, HOURI WAIA, OAU TIMUR ASSIWAIA on a red scroll above the arms. Compartment: A yellow embassy-shield.
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FRETILIN |
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The
Association of Timorese Social Democrats was established on 20 May 1974. On
11 September 1974 the ATSD was transformed in the Frente Revolucionaria de
Timor-Leste Independente (FRETILIN) to unite all East-Timorese. On 28
November 1975 the FRETILIN unilaterally declared Timor Leste as an
independent nation. In the next years the FRETILIN organized the resistance against
Indonesian occupation which resulted into independence in 2002. The flag
of FRETILIN was of three breathes red, yellow and red, the name of the
organisation in the yellow breath, and a black mast-end with a white
five-pointed star. Some different versions of this flag are known. The seal
shows a five-pointed star and a fist holding a noose in base, surrounded by
the legend FRENTE REVOLUCIONÁRIA
DO TIMOR LESTE INDEPENDENTE and a rope. A colored
version shows the field black, the star white, the hand yellow, the noose
red, the ring yellow with black lettering and the rope red.
Seal of the FRETILIN, about 1987 [4] |
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1999-2002 |
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Seal of East Timor during UNTAET administration (25.10.1999-20.05.2002) The seal used by the Second Transitional Administration
depicted the silhouette of Timor Island, a lizard, traditional head-dress (kaibauk)
and tais patterns. The seal included the words “Timor Lorosa’e” and
“Governu” in tatun or “Timor Leste” and “Govorno” in Portuguese. A
proposal for a national emblem was published by The La’o Hamutuk Bulletin. It
consisted of the outline of Mount Ramelau charged with a pointed chevron and
a lizard, and a fourteen-pointed sun rising behind it. [5]
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República Democrática de Timor-Leste |
2002-present |
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The
República Democrática de Timor Leste received its flag and national hymn by
constitution of 22 March 2002, ratified 20 May of the same year. The flag is
the flag of the first republic and is red with a yellow and a black
overlapping triangle at the mast-end, the black triangle lower than the
yellow one and charged with a five-pointed white star. The red
symbolizes the Struggle for Independence, yellow Colonialism, and black the
Evil conquered by the white five-pointed star of Peace. The
national hymn became Pátria, Pátria Pátria, Timor Leste a nossa naço [6]. At the
same time the national emblem was adopted by law. It is: Arms: Sable, an escutcheon Gules, edged
Or, two suriks in
saltire and a spear per pale, charged with two arrows in saltire, Sable; in
chief a five-pointed star Argent. Supporter: A sun radiant of fourteen rays
Or, within a ring Azure bearing the name of the Republic: REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR LESTE and RDTL in black lettering, separated by
two five-pointed stars Argent. Motto: HONRA,
PÁTRIA E POVO (Honour, Fatherland and People).
The arms
contain the shield of the Conselho Nacional de Resistência Timorense
(National Council of Timorese Resistance) founded in 1998 as the successor of
the Concelho
Nacional da Resistência Maubere existing since 1988. This was based on the arms of the FALINTIL. |
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The present coat of arms of Timor-Leste was promulgated
on 17 January
2007 under the Law
02/2007. It is based on a design first used when the country unilaterally
declared independence on November 28, 1975. It is: Arms: Sable, a cogwheel Or, charged
with and open book Gules, between a maize-cob and an ear of rice all Or, in chief
a five-pointed star with five rays pointing downwards Argent, in base an
arrow Or and a AX-47 Galaxi-rifle proper in saltire and a bow Or per fess,
and a bordure Gules and Or, the width of the Gules trice as large as the Or. Motto: Unidade, Acção, Progresso (“Unity, Action, Progress”). Compartment: A ring Argent, edged Gules bearing the legend REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE / RDTL in red lettering. ð See illustration in the head of this article. |
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Symbolism |
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The symbolism of the arms is given by the law in
Section 2: “The Symbols described in the section above mean”. According to
this section the meaning of the different parts is as follows: The shield symbolizes Monte Ramelau, the highest mountain on Timor (2963 m). Its
colors and four points symbolize the separation of powers (legsilative,
executive and judiciary branches) and the interdependence of the public
services. The cogwheel, open book, maize-cob and ear of rice symbolize the wisdom and capacities
of the people in the domains of education, culture, social justice as well as
in agriculture and industry. The star symbolizes peace and its five points symbolize the light of the
generosity and honesty which lead the people to peace. The rays symbolize the
light of solidarity and the determination to give peace to the whole world. The bow and arrow and the rifle are for the centuries of struggle of the people
to attain national independence and the honor and dignity of the sovereignty
of the state.
The motto “Unity Action Progress”
formulates the basic political and moral principles of the people and the
nation. The Compartment symbolizes the terrestrial globe, called belak
in tatun, of which Timor Leste is a part. It is a symbol
of national unity. |
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Comando Territorial
Independente de Timor |
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In the time of Portuguese administration the detachment of the
Portuguese army on East Timor was the “Independent Territorial Command of
Timor”. Of this Command two coats of arms are known.
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The supposedly oldest coat of arms is on the banner of the
Command. It is: Arms: The arms of Portuguese Timor Colony Crest: A crescent or kaibauk, six spears per pale Or and two sceptres in saltire
proper. Supporters: Two surik proper Motto: COMANDO TERRITORIAL INDEPENDENTE DE TIMOR in black lettering on
a white scroll. The arms are on a red square surrounded by a green bordure. In the
right hand upper corner and in the left hand lower corner is the Portuguese quinas. In both remaining
corners is the Dominican cross charged with the escutcheon from the quinas. [7] ï The swords supporting the arms are a more or
less correct picture of a surik as depicted here. |
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A second and newer coat of arms of the CTIT was probably adopted when
the colony was promoted to the status of a Province Overseas. [8]
Arms: Girony of eight Sable and Argent,
a lily-cross counterchanged charged with an escutcheon Azure, five balls
Argent’and a bordure Gules. Crest: On a helmet to the dexter,
lambrequined Sable and Argent, a crscent Or. Motto: FORTE E FIEL (Strong and True). The
gironny, the
cross and the quinas refer to the Portuguese friars of the Vicariate
of the Dominican Order in Malacca who, from the beginning and for a long time
settled on the Timorese islands and kept them until they officially became a
territory of the Kings of Portugal. The
red bordure
symbolizes the Independent Territorial Command. The
crescent is the
local symbol of authority. The
colors symbolize: Gold: Nobility and constancy Argent: Wealth and eloquence Red: Bellicose ardour and strength Blue: Zeal and loyalty Black: Firmness and honour |
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Komando Pasukan Khusus |
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The invasion of
East Timor on 7 December 1975 was conducted by the Indonesian Army Special
Force Command Kopassus. The name is the abbreviation for Komando
Pasukan Khusus. It is an Indonesian Army group that conducts special
operations missions for the Indonesian government. The East Timor invasion
was called “Seroja Operation”. |
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The arms of
Kopassus show a bayonet upright and the word KOPASSUS. The cap badge
of the Kopassus consists of the symbols for the Navy and the Air Force
charged with a bayonet upright |
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Afterwards
Timor Timur Province was controlled by TNI Komando Daerah Militer (Kodam) IX / Udayana.
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Timor Leste Defence Force |
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Falintil (or FALINTIL) originally began as the military wing of the
political party FRETILIN of East Timor. It was established on 20 August 1975 in response to FRETILIN’s political conflict
with the Timorese Democratic Union (UDT). The coat
of arms of the FALINTIL was red with two suriks (traditional
Timorese swords) in saltire and a bunch of three ears of sorghum. In chief is
a golden five-pointed star. Motto: PATRIA POVO (Fatherland and People). The flag
of the FALINTIL consisted of three breathes of blue, white
and green, the name FALINTIL in the white breath, and a black canton over two
breathes, charged with the arms. |
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U.N. Peace-keeping Forces |
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The International
Force for East Timor (INTERFET) was a multinational peacekeeping
taskforce, mandated by the United Nations to address the humanitarian and
security crisis which took place in East Timor from 1999–2000 until the
arrival of United Nations peacekeepers. |
The Australian Training
Support Team East Timor from 16 September 1999 until 17 August 2003 trained
the members of the FALINTIL to become East Timor’s first army. Its coat of
arms was: Arms: Parted per bend Sable and Gules, a bend Vert fimbriated Or, in
sinister chief five eight-pointed stars Or, and a crocodile assailant over
all Vert. |
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The Falintil-Forças de Defesa de
Timor Leste (Tetum: Forcas Defesa Timor Lorosae,
English: Timor Leste Defence Force) or
FALINTIL-FDTL (often F-FDTL) is the military organisation responsible
for the defence of East Timor. The F-FDTL was established in February 2001 The coat of
arms of the Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor (Timor Leste Defence Force) or
FALINTIL-FDTL (often F-FDTL) consists of the shield of the first achievement of the Republic
only. |
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Drawing H.d.V The Policia
Nacional Timor Leste (PNTL) was established in May 2002 by the United
Nations - before sovereignty was
passed to the new state - with a mandate to provide security and maintain law
and order throughout the country. |
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The arms
of the PNTL are: Arms: Argent, a fourteen rayed sun Or,
rising from a white scroll with the motto SERVIRE
PROTEGER in blue
lettering; in base the initials PNTL. Garland: Palm leaves Or. These arms
are in the middle of the white and blue banner of the PNTL. The
sleeve-patch of the PNTL is: Arms: Azure, a fourteen rayed sun Or rising from a white scroll with the
motto SERVIRE PROTEGER in blue lettering, in chief and in base the
name of the service POLICIA NACIONAL TIMOR
LESTE in white and
yellow lettering. ð See illustration in the head of this
section. The sun
radiant may be a reminder of the Rising Sun of the Australian Military Forces The
ancient cap-badge of the service consists of a black rectangle with a golden
rim, charged with a red pair of wings and a sword upright. Below is the motto
of the service on a scroll. Its design was probably borrowed from the emblem of the Kopassus. (No picture available) |
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The
present cap-badge consists of the arms of the service, its initials in an
arch below the shield and surrounded by two palm-leaves. The cap-badge
is in yellow metal for the officers and in white metal for the lower ranks. |
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© Hubert de Vries 2010-08-30.
Updated 2019-03-08
Heraldry of the World