Coat of arms of Guatemala
Coat of arms of Guatemala Escudo de Guatemala | |
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Versions | |
![]() Version without the shield | |
Armiger | Republic of Guatemala |
Adopted | 18 November 1871 |
Blazon | "A shield with two rifles and two swords crossed with a wreath of laurel on a field of light blue. The middle will harbor a scroll of parchment with the words "Liberty 15 of September of 1821" in gold and in the upper part a Quetzal as the symbol of national independence and autonomy." |
Motto | Libertad 15 de septiembre de 1821 "Freedom September 15, 1821" |
The current coat of arms of Guatemala was adopted after the by a decree of president Miguel García Granados. It consists of multiple symbols representing liberty and sovereignty on a bleu celeste shield.[1] According to government specifications, the coat of arms should be depicted without the shield only when on the flag,[2] but the version lacking the shield is often used counter to these regulations.[3][4]
History[]
In 1871, for the 50th anniversary of Guatemala gaining independence, president Miguel García Granados asked the mint to produce a design to commemorate the event. The Swiss engraver Juan Bautista Frener designed the shield, and Granados decided to adopt it as the national coat of arms, abandoning the previous coat of arms which had conservative symbolism.[1][4] In Executive Decree No. 33 of 18 November, the coat of arms was described:
The arms of the republic will be: a shield with two rifles and two swords crossed with a wreath of laurel on a field of light blue. The middle will harbor a scroll of parchment with the words "Liberty 15 of September of 1821" in gold and in the upper part a Quetzal as the symbol of national independence and autonomy.[5]
The flag and coat of arms were further regulated in detail in a 12 September 1968 decree by the government of president Julio César Méndez Montenegro, specifying the elements, colors, and the specific shade of blue on the shield.[2]
Symbolism[]
The elements of the coat of arms have the following symbolism:[4][1]
- The Quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala, and represents freedom and independence of the nation.
- The crossed Remington rifles are the type used during the 1871 Liberal Revolution, and represent the will to defend Guatemala's interests.
- The crossed swords represent justice and honor.
- The laurel wreath represents victory.
- The parchment at the center reads "Liberty 15 of September of 1821", the date Guatemala gained independence from Spain.
Historical coats of arms[]
1823–1838 (within Central America)
1825–1843
1843–1851
1851–1858
1858–1871
1871–1968
1968–present
References[]
- ^ a b c Kwei, Ivon (6 September 2017). "El escudo de armas, símbolo patrio de Guatemala". Aprende Guatemala.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Bandera de Guatemal". Hoy en la Historia de Guatemala (in European Spanish). Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Guatemala - Coat of Arms". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ a b c "Símbolos Nacionales". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
- ^ Cartilla cívica Libre al viento. Editorial Piedra Santa. 2002. p. 48. ISBN 9992258063.
- National coats of arms
- National symbols of Guatemala
- Coats of arms with birds
- Coats of arms with firearms
- Coats of arms with swords
- National emblems with birds
- Guatemala stubs
- Heraldry stubs