The Coat of Arms consists of:

The center of the coat of arms is dominated by a shield at the base of which there is shown a lighter in full Sail, the lighter being one of the traditional means of transportation. A red chevron is highlighted by two Poinciana (flamboyant) flowers, the national flower. The Poinciana derives its name from M. de Poincy, the first French Governor of St. Kitts who is said to have introduced it into this area.
  At the top of the shield and on a blue background appears the head of a Carib, supported by the fleur-de-lis and a rose.  The Caribs were the early inhabitants of the islands and the fleur-de-lis and rose signify the French and English elements respectively which were present with them in our early settlements and colonization.
   A helmet topped with battlements of a Tower appears with a flaming torch upheld by the hands of an African, a European and a person of mixed decent. These islands witnessed many naval and other military encounters with varying fortunes of supremacy and several large forts were constructed. Prominent among these are Brimstone Hill is St. Kitts, "the Gibraltar" of the West Indies and Fort Charles in Nevis. The torch signifies the struggle and quest for freedom by a people of diverse ethnic origins, but united in purpose.
  The shield is supported on either side by Pelicans, the national bird, with wings extended displaying a sugar cane plant and the coconut palm tree, which were extensively cultivated throughout Saint Christopher and Nevis.
   The Motto of the Federation "Country Above Self" is below the shield and can be said to be the foundation of everything else.