Blitar

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of Indonesia

BLITAR

Province : Jawa Tengah

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

I have no information on the origin or meaning of these arms. Any information is welcome.

Colonial arms

The arms were officially granted on June 2, 1932.

Official blazon:
Gedeeld rechts: in goud een borg van azuur, oprijzende uit den schildvoet; links: in keel het jaartal tempeltje van het Panatarancomplex van goud. Het schild gedekt met een gouden kroon van drie bladeren en twee paarlen. Schildhouders: twee leeuwen van goud, getongd en genageld van keel. Wapenspreuk : "Labor Improbus Omnia Vincit" in gouden latijnsche letters op een lint van azuur.

During colonial times the city used rather different arms. Initially the adopted as arms the Panataran temple, a temple complex that has been buried several times by ash from the nearby Kelud (Kloet) volcano. It was chosen also as a symbol for the resurrection of the town. The council also used a mural crown and two lion supporters as well as the motto Labor Improbus Omnia Vincit (Labour conquers all).

The Dutch Court of Arms did not agree with the design and finally the arms below were granted. The temple and the mountain were now separated and the mural crown was replaced by the crown of all cities in the Dutch East Indies at the time.