The coat of arms of the Bahamas contains a shield with the national symbols as its focal point, the shield is supported by a marlin and flamingo. On top the shield is a conch shell, that represents the varied marine life of the island chain. This rests upon a helmet. Below this is the actual shield, the main symbol of which is a ship, reported to represent the Santa María of Christopher Columbus. It is sailing beneath a sun. The animals supporting the shield are the national animals, and the national motto is found at the bottom. The flamingo is located upon land, and the marlin upon sea, indicating the geography of the islands. The vibrant colours of the coat of arms are also intended to point to a bright future for the islands. They are also reputed to have been maintained due to their attractiveness to tourists. The Coat of Arms was designed by Bahamian artist and Clergy, Rev. Dr. Hervis L. Bain, Jr; also a Member of the British Empire.------------The Bahamas, officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an independent, English-speaking country consisting of 2,387 rocks, 661 cays and 29 islands. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of the United States; northeast to east of Cuba, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic & Haiti) and north to east of the Caribbean Sea; and west to northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Its size is almost 14,000 km2 with an estimated population of 330,000. Its capital is Nassau. It remains a Commonwealth realm.