The Royal Coat of Arms

The Crown

The Royal Crown represents the Kingdom of Jaffna. The Crown of the Arya Cakravarti, Kings of Jaffna, was conical in shape, made of gold and set with precious stones such as rubies, diamonds, emeralds and sapphires.

The Coat

The colour of the Coat is maroon velvet on the outside and white silk on the inside. The coat is edged with golden tassels and tied with golden tassel braids.

The Shield

The Royal Shield has a white background and on the shield shows several royal emblems.

The Victorious Bull

The Arya Cakravarti, Kings of Jaffna, bore the emblem of the victorious Bull (Nandi) couchant, facing left and with its right arm raised. It has a hump and a large dewlap, black horns which are uncut and around its neck a golden chain with a golden bell. The bull itself is white.

The White Parasol

In the centre above the bull is a white Parasol bordered with golden tassels and white pearls. The parasol is made of white silk and it is an emblem of power and royalty.

The Single Conch Shell

The Single Conch Shells which spiral to the right are very rare and considered especially sacred. The conch is an emblem of power, authority and sovereignty.

The Crescent Moon and the Sun

The Crescent Moon with a Golden Sun, the Arya Cakravarti, Kings of Jaffna, claimed divine origin from the Sun and Moon.

The Emblem of Setu

The legend "Setu" is written horizontally below the arms of the bull (Nandi) couchant, in large Tamil characters in black. The emblem of "Setu" is a reference to Setukavalan (Guardian of Setu or Rameswaram) and Gangainadan (belonging to the country of the Ganga). Adam's Bridge also known as “Rama’s Bridge” starts as chain of limestone shoals from the Dhanuskodi tip of India’s Rameswaram Island and ends at Sri Lanka’s Mannar Island.

The Royal Coat of Arms and the Royal Standard was created with the help of Professor S. Pathmanathan and Professor S. Sathiyaseelan of Sri Lanka.

The Royal Coat of Arms
Eng. C.Q.C.M. Walschots
(Heraldic Artist)