The coat of arms of Malawi is based on the earlier heraldic arms of Nyasaland. It is supported by a lion and a leopard, above a scroll reading "Unity and Freedom".For Arms, per fess barry wavy Azure and Argent and Sable on a fess Gules a lion passant and in base a sun rising or: and for the Crest: On a wreath or and Gules on water barry wavy Azure and Argent in front of a sun rising or a fish eagle rising proper, and for Supporters: On the dexter side a lion and on the sinister side a leopard both guardant, upon a compartment representing the Mlanje mountain proper, together with this motto: Unity and Freedom