As a whole item, the coat of arms represents Pancasila, the foundation and the ideology of the Republic of Indonesia. Deconstructing the design, each feature has its own meaning as follows.
1. The ideology of Pancasila (lit. Panca: five, sila: principles):
a.) Religiosity, represented by the golden star at the top
b.) Humanity, represented by the winged pillar
c.) Nationality, represented by the red circle enveloped by white area
d.) Democracy, represented by the pedestal engraved with lotus
e.) Social justice, represented by the wreath of cottons and rice
grains
2. The sprays of cotton buds and rice grains The number count of the cotton buds (17), the cotton leaves (8), and the rice grains (45) represent the date of 17 August 1945, when Indonesia proclaimed its independence. The rice grains also represent the State Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia of 1945. Together, the cotton and rice grains also represent prosperity.
3. The red circle with a white cylindrical pillar It represents the way of life of gotong royong (community self-help). The circle in Javanese is called “golong’, while a cylindrical shape is called “gilig”. The term “golong gilig” means “perseverance” and it is the spirit behind gotong royong.
The pillar also refers to the spirit of heroism and perseverance to fight for a noble cause. Adding the white surrounding the red circle, the symbol represents the unity of Indonesia, where people from different backgrounds work together towards one cause: the prosperity of the Republic of Indonesia.
4. The three-petal jasmine flower The flower at the tip of the pillar, that almost touches the star, represents religiosity, educational, and cultural values which always strive forwards.
5. The slanting carving in the pillar The carving represents the creative energy of constant development. Carving, for the Javanese, is a form of beautifying, of perfecting the available resources to improve their value. Hence, the continuous creative energy.
6. The wings on the pillar The wings picture the history of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Each wing has 9 outer feathers and 8 inner feathers. These numbers represent Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX, the Sultan of Yogyakarta Sultanate; and Sri Paduka Paku Alam VIII, the king of Kadipaten Pakualaman. Both kings, who are also the Governor and Vice Governor of Yogyakarta, work together for the province.
7. The shades of green and the lotus The colours on the pedestal represent the natural resources of Yogyakarta, while the lotus shape on it refers to the richness, purity, and honourable mind of Yogyakarta people.
8. The Javanese writings on the red circle The writing on the left is read as “rasa suka ngesti praja”, while the right one is “Yogyakarta trus mandiri”. On its own, the device “rasa suka ngesti praja” means 1786, the year when Yogyakarta was born, and “Yogyakarta trus mandiri” means 1945, the year Republic of Indonesia became independent. Together, the device forms “Rasa Suka Ngesti Praja Yogyakarta Trus Mandiri”, meaning “to responsibly and delightfully build Yogyakarta to be prosperous and everlasting”.