The coat of arms of Bucaramanga, capital of the Department of Santander, was adopted by decree on October 10, 1951. It was designed by the writer Enrique Otero D'costa and drawn by the Engineer Alberto Torres Carrizosa.
Despite the fact that this city had more than 329 years of history, it was not until 1951 that the Bucaramanga Council approved the creation of a badge to represent its citizens.
The city, established as an indigenous town, and founded in 1622, is recognized by the World Bank as the most prosperous city in Latin America.
Some historians consider that this shield is the product of the motivation of the writer Enrique Otero D'costa.
This promoted the idea for the elaboration of the same, in his eagerness to recognize the founding of Bucaramanga 156 years before the real date, an error that served as a lever so that citizens could have a badge that identified them.
The Mayor, then Trillos Vega, dusted off the bill that Enrique Otero D'costa had presented to the Bucaramanga council 16 years ago.
In it he proposed to create a coat of arms that would distinguish them when defending their sovereignty, but he had been arrested for not considering it necessary at that time.
However, the mayor supported this project, believing that the city and its inhabitants deserved it for having contributed to the achievement of many of the nation's glories.
Meaning
According to some research, this shield has several versions and it is presumed that they are given by the changes of Mayors, who in some cases have made updates or modifications to the blazon.
However, the official version is the one established in the 1951 decree, and although for some it does not represent the feelings of its population, until today it is the symbol that accompanies this city.
The Bucaramanga shield was designed with a Spanish shape and is divided into four barracks or cantons.
The upper right barracks
We found a white rose on a green background in honor of the flowers and trees that decorate the city and that represent its hospitality and the beauty of its people.
The upper left barracks
There is a naked silver sword on a red background that represents the courage, honor and mettle of the citizens when fighting for their ideals.
The lower right barracks
- "Bucaramanga - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." es.wikipedia.org. It was consulted on September 29, 2017.
- «Symbols - Bucaramanga.» Oct 20, 2016, bucaramanga.gov.co. It was consulted on September 29, 2017.
- «File: Escudo de Bucaramanga.svg - Wikimedia Commons.» commons.wikimedia.org. It was consulted on September 29, 2017.