The coat of arms of Popayán is the highest emblem that represents the city, which is the capital of the Colombian department of Cauca. Together with the flag and the anthem, it forms the national symbols of the municipality of Popayán.
The city was founded on January 13, 1537, under the name of Our Lady of the Assumption of Popayán.
However, it was not until 20 years later that the use of the shield became official, its design and use being granted by order of Juana de Austria. By then, the city had become known as the province of Popayán.
History
In the Royal Certificate issued in Valladolid on November 10, 1558, King Felipe II of Spain confers a shield on the city through his sister Juana.
Popayán is worthy of such honor thanks to the loyalty and service it has rendered to the crown since it was founded.
Within this writing the elements that will make up this shield are established. According to the order in which the King appointed them, they are as follows:
In the center of the image, a city of gold surrounded by trees. In turn, the grove is crossed by two rivers, which are born on each side of the city and merge into one, right in the middle of the image. In the background you can see snow-capped mountains on the right side and a sun on the opposite side.
On the edge of the shield is a golden border, which is adorned with four crosses of Jerusalem, in its typical reddish color, each pointing to a cardinal point. The shape of the shield is known as Iberian, in its curved and non-pointed version.
Juana de Austria attached a copy of it along with the description. However, after the process of liberation and independence, the shield underwent modifications.
These changes sought to make the reproduction of the shield by the institutions easier. Certain external decorative elements were also added, granting a certain rank within heraldry.
In the upper part of it now there would be towers forming a wall crown. At the bottom, a blue ribbon-shaped badge with the phrase "CIBDAD DE POPAYAN" and, on both sides of the shield, yellow bras, quite similar to classic lambrequins.
Likewise, certain aspects inside the shield were changed. The typical medieval sun was supplanted by a more modern one and certain colors were modified. The most notable change was in the city, now red and white, to the detriment of the gold.
Changes to the exterior of the shield were added to the original heraldic version, with the resulting shield being considered to be reliable today.
Meaning
The gold color of the city and the border signify nobility, magnanimity and wealth. It is probably due to the same attributes for which the King conferred the shield; loyalty and service.
The Sierra Nevada and the sun in the landscape signify purity, clarity and truth, which also goes hand in hand with what the King said.
The border is an honorable piece of the first order, for which the cities that have it are privileged.
It used to be awarded as a benefit for good services, which follows the words of King Felipe II of Spain.
As can be seen, the crown had a special appreciation for the then province of Popayán, thanks to its usefulness to the Spanish empire. Most of the elements reflect this.
References
- Arboleda Llorente, JM (1966). Popayán through art and history. Cauca: Editorial Universidad del Cauca.
- Pacheco, JF, de Cárdenas, F., & Torres de Mendoza, L. (1867). Collection of unpublished documents related to the discovery, conquest and colonization of the Spanish possessions in America and Oceania, taken, for the most part, from the Royal Archive of the Indies. Madrid: Spanish Printing.
- Penagos Casas, E. (1989). Popayán: memories and customs: 452 years since its foundation. Bogotá: Agrarian Fund.
- University of Cauca. (1960). Popayán city guide: tourist history. Cauca: University of Cauca.
- Vejarano Varona, J. (1983). Popayán, unique city: past, present, future. Cauca: University of Cauca.