The national coat-of-arms of Slovenia is a shield, in the middle of which, on a blue ground, is a representation of Mt. Triglav in white, under which are two undulating blue lines which represent the sea and rivers, and above which are located three six-pointed gold stars that form a downward-pointing triangle. The shield is bordered in red. The design of the shield is in accordance with accepted principles of geometry and colour. The coat-of-arms features all three colours of the Slovene tricolour: white, blue, and red. The gold stars recall one of the colours of the historical flag of the province of Carniola. 

The lower part of the coat-of-arms symbolises the Slovenian landscape, which encompasses Alpine peaks in the northwest, the maritime expanse of the Adriatic in the south and the Pannonian plain in the east. The verticality of the Alps is represented by the highest mountain, Triglav, while the maritime and lowland areas are expressed by the two horizontal waves. The mountain and the water at its foot can equally be understood as universal symbols which do not refer uniquely to the Slovenian landscape. They symbolise the fundamental inner balance of the human individual, and the balance between masculine and feminine principles. The coat-of-arms was designed by sculptor Marko Pogačnik, who describes it as a ‘cosmogram’. 

Use of the coat of arms

The use of the coat of arms is governed by the Act Regulating the Coat-of-Arms, Flag and Anthem of the Republic of Slovenia and the Flag of the Slovene Nation; its provisions applicable to the coat of arms are very detailed as this symbol, by its nature, does not allow for such freedom of use as is pertaining to the flag. This is understandable, as the coat of arms is mainly used in seals, stamps, document insignia and state authority symbols representing the country abroad.