Coat of arms of France

France's National Emblem

The national emblem of France has been a symbol of the country since 1953. It is not officially the coat of Arms but it appears on French passports.

On it you can see:

• A wide shield with the head of a lion and two letters, "RF". This means République Française (French Republic in french).
• A laurel branch that symbolises victory of the Republic.
• An oak branch that symbolises perenity or wisdom.
• The fasces is a symbol associated with justice (from Roman axes.