COAT OF ARMS OF THE UAEM: HISTORY AND MEANING - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The coat of arms of the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos (UAEM) is part of a logo symbol of the graphic identity of the institution. It serves so that the University can be identified in a simple and effective way.

The shield, which is one of the graphic elements that are part of the logo, have not changed much over the years. The University logo is made up of a frieze and a shield plus a nomenclature.

Image of the UAEM logo, where you can see the University coat of arms. Source: anotnio, via Wikimedia Commons.

According to the UAEM regulations, the University logo must always be used in the presence of these two elements, just as the colors already established must be respected.

History

The Autonomous University of the State of Morelos was founded in 1953 as a public institution in the State of Morelos, in the city of Cuernavaca, although it has two other locations.

But the history of the University dates back to several years before, since in 1938 it functioned as the Institute of Higher Education. At that time classes were only taught to high school students, but then the academic offer was expanded.

In the 1940s, programs such as nursing or administration were incorporated into the academic institution.

The great interest in entering the educational center prompted the administrative authorities and those in charge of the educational system of the State of Morelos to present a proposal to convert the Institute of Higher Education into a University, which was achieved in 1953.

First apparition

The history of the coat of arms of the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos dates back to 1939, when the institution had not yet acquired its character as a University. At that time it was a higher education educational center where high school classes were taught exclusively.

At that time, Bernabé de Elías and professor Marco Antonio Alegría were the ones in charge of devising and making the emblem that has identified the institution for 80 years.

The design of the shield did not vary much over the years. What did change were the colors. At first, in 1939, the shield had a gray background. In addition, in 1960 a line was added to the right side of the shield with the intention of creating a sense of volume.

This change to the shield, made by Jorge Cázares, only lasted 10 years, returning again to the original shield that has been part of the logo since 1939.

For the year 1970 the thickness of the lines that make up the logo are the same both in the shield and in the frieze that is located in the upper part of the logo.

Elements

The shield that is part of the logo of the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos is the central element of the emblem. This shield, also known as a blazon, is characterized by its straight lines and its almost square design.

An X divides the shield into four parts: three triangles with a white background and one with a black background. In each triangle there is a pictogram or drawing that represents something in particular.

In the triangle on the left there is a drawing of Tamoanchan, in the upper part is the symbol of Oaxtepec and on the right is represented Cuauhnáhuac. Finally, in the lower part of the shield seven rhombuses were drawn in a diagonal position.

The rest of the logo is completed with the representation of a frieze of a feathered serpent, known in Mexico as Quetzalcóatl. To accompany the logo, a nomenclature is always used which reads: Autonomous University of the State of Morelos.

Shield reproduction

Each school, faculty or study center that makes life within the University has its own logo. The UAEM identity manual prohibits the use of the elements present in the university logo to identify other agencies.

The medical school, for example, has a shield that resembles the one present in the University logo. In this case, the shield is only divided into three since it does not have the seven diamonds.

Meaning

The pictograms that are present on the coat of arms of the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos represent the Nahuatl culture. This culture had great influence in Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and the United States. It dates back to 500 AD.

In the state of Morelos, where the UAEM is located, the Nahuatl language is spoken, which transmits its messages thanks to the pictographic writing as seen in the university logo.

Tamoanchan

The word Tamoanchan is born from the union between Tamoan, which means to fall, and chan, which refers to the termination that is given to name a place or a house. On the UAEM coat of arms, the Tamoanchan drawing occupies the left triangle.

According to the Nahuatl culture, it refers to a mythical place, a paradise where different gods are present. The drawing resembles a tree broken in half.

Oaxtepec

In the upper triangle of the shield is the drawing of Oaxtepec. It refers to a place in the eastern part of the State of Morelos. It was born from the union of Huax, which means guaje, and Tepec, which is equal to hill or place.

In other words, this pictogram can be translated as the place of the gourds, which are trees whose fruit are legumes.

Cuauhnáhuac

It is called as the talking tree. It gains more meaning for being on the shield next to the Oaxtepec pictogram. The union of both refers to the state and the most important human groups of the Tlahuica civilization, which lived in what is now known as Morelos.

Rhombuses

There are seven in total and they are located at the bottom of the UAEM shield. These figures represent the different Nahua tribes.

Colors

The use of colors in the elaboration of the shield that is part of the UAEM logo also has a reason. The green tones represent the fertility of the lands. The yellow in the Tamoanchan pictogram speaks of the link between the earth and the sky.

The silver color was used as a background in some parts of the logo and is currently used only in the seven rhombuses. It is a reflection of the richness that knowledge provides, which in turn is transmitted through education.

References

1. 60th Anniversary of the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos. Recovered from sepomex.gob.mx
2. Nahuatl culture, millenary roots that have crossed the barriers of time. Recovered from cultures.online
3. University symbol motto and logo - Autonomous University of the State of Morelos. Recovered from uaem.mx
4. Adolfo Menéndez Samará. (2010). Identity manual. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos. Morelos.
5. Portilla, M. In myth and in history. From Tamoanchan to the seven cities. Recovered from arqueologiamexicana.mx