Indonesia's Coat of Arms

Well, since I'm Indonesian, let me start this blog with the meaning of Indonesia's coat of arms~

Indonesia's coat of arm (source)

We can see from the picture that Indonesia's coat of arms is a bird. It's called the Garuda. It's similar to eagle, but they are different. The Garuda is a mystic bird that appears in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Though there are many arguments saying that it's not merely a mystic bird, but it's a real bird that once live in the Earth.

In Hindu mythology, the Garuda is belief to be the vahana of the Lord Vishnu. It is a large size golden bird with human-like body. In Buddhist mythology, especially Thai Buddhist, the Garuda is belief to be an enormous predatory birds with intelligence and social organization. It has a very large wings. Thailand's coat of arms is also the Garuda bird. (reference: wikipedia)

The Garuda is the vahana of the Lord Vishnu.

Thailand's coat of arms

Now, let's move back to Indonesia's coat of arms, the Garuda Pancasila.

1. The Garuda has golden color, which symbolize the greatness, majesty, or splendor.
2. The number of feathers of the Garuda shows the Independence day of Indonesia: August 17th, 1945 (in Indonesian date format: 17-8-1945).
• The number of feathers of each wing (left or right) is 17.
• The number of feathers of the tail is 8. 
• The number of feathers of the upper tail is 19.
• The number of feathers of the neck is 45.
3. The Garuda is facing to the right side (here, the direction I'm talking about is based on the Garuda's point of view, so it will be the reverse direction of the readers). Indonesians believe that the right side is the 'right' or the correct side. So, facing to the right side, showing that we follow only the correct path.
4. The Garuda is wearing a shield, which shows the defense of Indonesia.
5. In the shield, there are five symbols, which are the Pancasila, or the five rules. 
• The Pancasila in Indonesian language:
1. Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa
2. Kemanusiaan yang Adil dan Beradab
3. Persatuan Indonesia
4. Kerakyatan yang dipimpin oleh Hikmat Kebijaksanaan dalam Permusyawaratan/Perwakilan
5. Keadilan Sosial bagi Seluruh Rakyat Indonesia
• Literal translation to English:
1. Belief in one supreme God
2. Fair and civilized humanity
3. The unity of Indonesia
4. Democracy is conducted by the wisdom of deliberation/delegation
5. Social justice for all Indonesian people
• Relation to the symbols in the Garuda Pancasila:
1. Stars (center) symbolizes the light, and God is belief to be the spiritual light. The background color is black, to represents a nature, such that God is the nature of everything in this world.
2. Chain (lower left) symbolizes the togetherness. Should everyone hold hands together and help each other in solving any problem, we will be stronger, like the chain.
3. Banyan tree (upper left), which has a large size, symbolizes a big shelter, such that many people can take shelter under it. In the same way, it shows that all Indonesian people can take a shelter under the state of Indonesia. In addition, A banyan tree has many shoots and roots spread around the tree, but they are actually one, as they come from the same tree. Similarly, Indonesia consists of many different races or ethnic groups, but we're all one, Indonesian.
4. Head of a bull (upper right) is used to symbolize the deliberation. As a bull is a social animal which like to gather in one place, this symbol represents that everyone should gather and discuss together to solve any issue.
5. Paddy and cotton (lower right) which are the main or basic needs of Indonesian. We need paddy to make rice and cotton to make clothes. So these two things symbolize the prosperity as the main goal of the fifth sila.
6. The background color of the shield represents the color of Indonesian flag: red and white.
• Red means brave or courage.
• White means pure.
7. In the middle of the shield, there is one bold and black line, which represents the location of Indonesia: the equator.
8. The open wings of the Garuda shows that it's ready to fly, to represents the dynamics and spirits of Indonesian to uphold the prestige of the country and the nation of Indonesia.
9. Finally, the white ribbons grabbed by the Garuda shows the motto of Indonesia. 
• Bhinneka Tunggal Ika comes from old Javanese language.
• Bhinneka means variety.
• Tunggal means one.
• Ika means 'that', 'which'.
• So, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika means "Though we are all different, we are one."

I would like to thanks anyone for any input and corrections.