The e scudo of Durango is representative of its gentile, its origin, its history, customs and idiosyncrasies. Visually, it is composed of a main element, which would be the oak tree.
This is fervently rooted in the earth and is accompanied by a blue background. In front of the tree, you can see two wolves with a prey in their mouth. In turn, it is framed with a bronze colored support with coffee.
On the sides of the frame, palm branches can be noticed, which are linked with a red bow. Finally in the upper part it has a red crown with yellow and inlaid with rhombus-shaped stones.
Meaning
When it comes to symbology, the Durango shield is full of them. The tree itself denotes freedom and strong spirit.
The roots, on the other hand, represent the strength and solidity of their dealings and actions. Wolves would be the perfect complement to signal power, and their prey symbolizes the loot recovered and won in war.
The blue would be the purity and integrity as values and the frame is used as protection and value in battle. Finally, palms could be defined as an amulet or symbol of victory.
The truth is that, according to the story, it is an adaptation of the shield of the province of Viscaya, Spain.
History behind the Durango shield
The symbology explained above may not be very accurate regarding wolves. When the shield was made (first thought for Viscaya and then adapted for Durango) the animals were thought of in a more etymological way.
Wolf in Latin, it's "Lupus." This opens the way to an explanation of the so-called "Lords of Viscaya."
"Lupus" is the origin of the Spanish surname Lope, and its variation López. The López de Haro family is recognized for its successful interventions in various conflicts of the 7th century in the Iberian Peninsula and the Basque region.
His family and long lineage lasted until the last century, at the end of the 1980s. As the family disappeared, the wolves were eliminated from the Viscaya shield, since they no longer had to represent the "Lords of Viscaya."
Is the shield finally from Durango or Viscaya?
The Durango Legislature, in office from 2001 to 2004, approved in Decree No. 67, the meaning of each of the elements of the shield.
It was also clarified that the Coat of Arms is the official of the State of Durango. It was made clear that each municipality is free to have its shield.
Durango Coat of Arms
Despite the fact that the reference was from Viscaya, the current Durango shield represents its people.
The origin does not oblige him to be linked to Spain, nor does it make sense to owe them something for that. History is made up of copying and plagiarism, and that is not the case for Durango people.
On the other hand, the unlinking of the figure of wolves in Viscaya's shield now makes the confusion much less.
References
- Durango State Shield. Obtained from Para Todo México: paratodomexico.com. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- Coat of Arms ¿Duranguense ?. (July 8, 2013). Obtained from El Siglo de Durango: elsiglodedurango.com.mx. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- Decree No. 67. (May 2005). Recovered from Five Stars Flags: fotw.fivestarflags.com. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- Durango Shield. Recovered from Es Academic: esacademic.com. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- Viscaya Shield. Retrieved from Archive.is: archive.is. Retrieved September 18, 2017.