what is the difference between national emblems and the(ir) 'coat of arms'?

Answer 1

COAT OF ARMS IS LIKE A CLAN THE OTHER IS NATIONAL RECOGNIZED

Answer 2

A national emblem is an object that symbolically represents a nation. Most emblems are natural; like an animal or bird.

National emblems may appear on such items as the national flag, coat of arms, or other patriotic materials. One should not confuse a formal national emblem with less formal symbols potentially associated with tourism or clichés, for example windmills in the Netherlands. Even though, many unofficial symbols are as important as the official ones - or even more, since some of them are recognized as "symbols" by the people spontaneously, what may not happen with the official symbols. Official symbols are defined by law, which guarantee the proper use of them.

National emblems of the world
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_emblem


Coat of Arm

A coat of arms or armorial bearings (often just arms for short), in European tradition, is a design belonging to a particular person (or group of people) and used by him or her in a wide variety of ways. Unlike seals and emblems, coats of arms have a formal description, that is expessed as a blazon.

At a national level, "coats of arms" were generally retained by those states with constitutional continuity of more than a few centuries, including constitutional monarchies like Denmark as well as old republics like San Marino and Switzerland. However, today, nearly every nation in every part of the world has its own "coat of arms", in many cases emblems that do not fully conform with European heraldric traditions. Since 1989, some of the ex-Communist states, such as Romania, have resumed their former arms, often with only the symbols of monarchy removed.

More Info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms

Answer 3

I believe "coat of arms" is a family thing whereas national emblems are national.