The shield of Mérida contains in the center a lion and a castle, each one within two central barracks arranged side by side. At the top it has a crown the width of the shield.
In addition, it has two branches on the sides and a ribbon at its bottom that reads: very loyal and very noble city of Mérida. This same title was received by the city of Tlaxcala, northwest of Mexico.
Shield of Mérida, state of Yucatán, Mexico.
It was the year 1619, when the city of Mérida received this shield from the then King Felipe III.
This shield was also the symbol of the municipality of Mérida and of the state of Yucatán until in 1989 the state assumed its own.
4 characteristics and meanings of the Mérida shield
Formerly the Mayan city of T'Ho was settled, where today the city of Mérida is built, founded in 1542. The coat of arms of Mérida already exceeds 380 years after its arrival in the city.
one)
It is known that the lion is called the king of the jungle for his supremacy over the entire animal kingdom and for not being hunted by any other animal.
For this same reason, the lion is the symbol of this shield, which refers to the power of the monarchy over society.
The lion is in a rampant position of attack and hunter, thus demonstrating the nobility of the Merida lands. In addition, its nails are ready to attack and its jaws are open with the same intention.
2) The golden castle
Within the symbols used for shields and flags, castles denote power and sovereignty over a place because of how imposing they are.
On this occasion, the coat of arms of Mérida has with it a golden castle located in the left field, parallel to the field where the golden lion is.
In its upper part it has three towers of which one stands out. This also brings up the battles fought between Spaniards and Indians.
3) The crown
The large crown refers to the power and dominion, at that time, of the Spanish crown over the lands of Mérida, Yucatán and the Mexican territory.
This crown is the width of both barracks, where the lion and the castle are, which are located below it. This crown is granted by Spain to its overseas dependencies.
4)
Both sides of the shield have a branch: on one side a laurel branch and on the other side an olive branch.
One symbolizes success, whose use dates back to Roman times when the Caesars used it as a sign of their power and authority before society.
Like the olive tree, the laurel was a symbol in the extinct Roman Empire. Its name even comes from the use of laurea crowns or triumphal crowns that military leaders used when they returned victorious from a war.
To the cities that showed loyalty to the Spanish king, he gave them the title of noble and loyal cities, as was the case in Mérida.
References
- Shield of Merida. Government of Mérida. Recovered from the site: merida.gob.mx
- Coat of Arms of the city of Mérida. SISPE. Recovered from the site: sipse.com
- Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. GABINO VILLASCÁN, JUAN MANUEL. Recovered from the site: flagspot.net
- Triumphal crown. Recovered from the site: es.wikipedia.org
- Image N1. Author: Battroid. Recovered from the site: es.wikipedia.org