Status: Active

Established: March 14th, 1939

The coat of arms of Alabama depicts a shield upon which is carried the symbols of the five nations which have at various times held sovereignty over a part or the whole of what is now Alabama. These are the ancient coat of arms of France (three fleurs-de-lis), the ancient coat of arms of Crown of Castile for Spain (Castile quartering León), the Union Flag of the United Kingdom (which was not adopted until after Alabama's independence) and the battle flag of the Confederate States of America. On an escutcheon of pretence is borne the shield of the United States.

The official description, in heraldic language, is laid out in the Code of Alabama, Section 1-2-2:

Arms: quarterly, the first azure three fleur de lis or (for France); second quarterly first and fourth gules a tower tripple towered or, second and third argent a lion rampant gules (for Spain); third azure a saltire argent and gules over all a cross of the last fimbriated of the second (for Great Britain); fourth gules of a saltire azure, fimbriated argent 13 mullets of the last (for the Confederacy); at center in escutcheon chief azure paly argent and gules 13 (for United States) arms supported by two American eagles displayed. Crest: A full rigged ship proper.

Besides being used by itself, the coat of arms is used on many governmental seals of the state, as well as the flag of the governor of Alabama.