Coat of arms of Benin
The shield is broken into four quadrants.  The top left quadrant has a castle in the style of the Somba.  This is for the history of Benin.  In the top right quadrant, is the Star of Benin.  This is the highest award of the nation.  Below this is a ship, that stands for the arrival of Europeans in Benin.  In the lower left quadrant is a palm tree.