The Maltese Coat-of-Arms consists of a shield showing a heraldic representation of the National Flag of Malta; above the shield there is a mural crown in gold with sally port and eight turrets (five only being visible), representing the fortifications of Malta and denoting a City State; around the shield there is a wreath of two branches, the dexter of olive, the sinister a palm, symbols of peace and traditionally associated with Malta, all in their proper colors, tied at the base with a white ribbon, backed with red and upon which are written the words "Repubblika ta' Malta" in capital letters in black.