Coat of arms of Guatemala
Escudo de Guatemala

Versions

Version without the shield

Armiger| Republic of Guatemala
Adopted| 18 November 1871
Shield| "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 Resplendent 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 1871 Liberal Revolution [es] 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

[edit]

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 Johann-Baptist Frener possibly[5] 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.[6]

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

[edit]

The elements of the coat of arms has the following symbolism:[4][1]

* The Resplendent 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 "LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821" (Liberty 15 of September of 1821), the date Guatemala gained independence from Spain.

## Historical coats of arms

[edit]

* 1823–1838 (within Central America)

* 1825–1843

* 1843–1851

* 1851–1858

* 1858–1871

* 1871–1968

* 1968–present

## References

[edit]

1. ^ 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.
2. ^ a b "Bandera de Guatemal". Hoy en la Historia de Guatemala (in European Spanish). Retrieved 25 May 2020.
3. ^ "Guatemala - Coat of Arms". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
4. ^ a b c "Símbolos Nacionales". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
5. ^ Ruttley, M (2023). Johann-Baptist Frener - Life & Works 1821-92. IFO. pp. 66–68. ISBN 979-8-9888531-0-7.
6. ^ Cartilla cívica Libre al viento. Editorial Piedra Santa. 2002. p. 48\. ISBN 9992258063.

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