The International Association of Amateur Heralds

Some heraldry from Gabon.


The national arms (1963), designed by Swiss heraldist Louis Mühlemann.

Arms of some of the provinces, also designed by Mühlemann :


Ngounie, depicting a traditional mask; the chief alludes to diamond mining and coffee production.


Ogooué-Maritime, a coastal province which produces oil.


Woleu-Ntem, which has two major rivers and produces cocoa.

Some municipal arms, possibly also designed by Mühlemann :


Libreville (the capital).


Franceville, with a bordure in the colours of the French flag, and allusions to the Portuguese explorer De Brazza.


Mayumba, a seaside town where the Sovereign Military Order of Malta runs (or ran) a hospital.

Ngounie, depicting a traditional mask; the chief alludes to diamond mining and coffee production.


Ogooué-Maritime, a coastal province which produces oil.


Woleu-Ntem, which has two major rivers and produces cocoa.


Nice collection of arms. Would that be an African crown of some type?

Mark Henderson wrote:Nice collection of arms. Would that be an African crown of some type?

I think it's most likely an heraldic crown which Mühlemann designed to distinguish provincial arms. The nine spearheads may allude to the fact that there are nine provinces.

Arthur Radburn wrote:

Mark Henderson wrote:Nice collection of arms. Would that be an African crown of some type?

I think it's most likely an heraldic crown which Mühlemann designed to distinguish provincial arms. The nine spearheads may allude to the fact that there are nine provinces.

You are quite right there Arthur, in the Genealogica & Heraldica Lisboa 1986 Actas do 17. Congresso International das Ciências Genealogica e Heraldica there is a Article dealing with the Civic Arms of Gabon by Louis Mühlemann, in which he states that the nine arrowheads (Mühlemann names them Flèches = Arrows/here Arrowheads/) represents the nine Provinces. He names the Crown a Regional Crown (Couronne régionale).

Province of Moyen-Ogooué, Or a fess wavy Azure in chief an Elephant Sable and in base three hurts. Elephants are to be seen in the Area and the Fess symbolises the River Moyen-Ogooué. The Hurts symbolises the Lakes of the Province.


Nyanga Azure a Bend Argent indented between two Tarpons Argent on a chief wavy Or a Lion Gules Armed and langued Azure. The Indented Baned symbolises the Forestry of the Area. The Azure field and Trapons symbolises the Maritime Carracter of the Province. The Wavy partition symbolises the River Nyanga, the Colour Or of the chief symbolises the Savanna. The Lion symbolises that the Province Guards the Frontier.

Ogooué-Lolo, Per pale Or and Gules an Eagle counterchanged holding in the Talons a broken chain Sable in base a tripple mount counterchanged.
The Eagle and Mount symbolises the fact that the Highest Mountains of Gabon is situated in the Province. The Partition symbolises the two main areas of the Province Koula-Mouton and Lastoursville. The broken chain symbolises the liberation of the Slaves by Savorgnan de Brazza.

Marcus Karlsson wrote:You are quite right there Arthur, in the Genealogica & Heraldica Lisboa 1986 Actas do 17. Congresso International das Ciências Genealogica e Heraldica there is a Article dealing with the Civic Arms of Gabon by Louis Mühlemann, in which he states that the nine arrowheads (Mühlemann names them Flèches = Arrows/here Arrowheads/) represents the nine Provinces. He names the Crown a Regional Crown (Couronne régionale).

Thanks for this reference, Marcus.

Trapons? Are these fish tarpons?

Arthur Radburn wrote:

Marcus Karlsson wrote:You are quite right there Arthur, in the Genealogica & Heraldica Lisboa 1986 Actas do 17. Congresso International das Ciências Genealogica e Heraldica there is a Article dealing with the Civic Arms of Gabon by Louis Mühlemann, in which he states that the nine arrowheads (Mühlemann names them Flèches = Arrows/here Arrowheads/) represents the nine Provinces. He names the Crown a Regional Crown (Couronne régionale).

Thanks for this reference, Marcus.

You are welcome Arthur.

Michael F. McCartney wrote:Trapons? Are these fish tarpons?

Yes they are, sorry for the typing error. Did correct it now.