The shield of the Province of Salta (Argentina), is formed by an azure colored oval -a kind of intense blue color and intermediate between light blue and indigo-, on which there is a large silver-colored six-pointed star.
In the center of the star there is a large figurative sun (with the "figure" of a person's face) in gold color, with 32 straight and undulating rays or flames placed alternately.
On the outside of the oval and surrounding it like a crown, two branches of laurel color sinople (green) are placed, which cross at the top, intertwining their tips and cross again at the bottom, but tied with a sky blue bow with whitish sparkles.
History
According to historical records, during colonial times the province of Salta used the Royal Shield or Coat of Arms of the King of Spain, which changed in 1788, the year in which Carlos IV of Bourbon was proclaimed king.
The city of Salta takes advantage of this occasion to create a commemorative medal, which would later be the official seal of said city and adopted as its coat of arms.
This seal and shield showed a conqueror dressed in armor with a dog at his feet, who appears to be facing an Indian who threatens him by pointing his bow and arrow. In the background of this scene are hills, trees and a river.
This image was later modified in 1810, eliminating the figure of the Indian that appeared in it.
After its first modification, the city of Salta used more than thirty different shields, almost all based on variations of the national shield to which different elements were added or removed.
A variant stands out, used between the years 1845 and 1851 by the federals of Salta, which they called the “Escudo de La Libertad”. This was framed by two branches, one olive and the other laurel, joined at their base by a light blue and white ribbon.
In the center of the oval there is a Doric-style column with the following phrase inscribed in gold letters: "Jump, firm column of freedom."
From this column hangs at one end a broken chain, and to its left it shows a cross on a pedestal, while on the right side of the column there are mountains and, behind them, the figure of a rising sun.
From the year 1879 the shields and seals of the province began to use the six-pointed star in the center of the oval.
In 1920, at the request of the provincial authorities of a civil organization called the Association of Patrician Ladies Descendants of Warriors and Próceres de la Independencia Argentina, the reuse of the so-called “Escudo de La Libertad” was studied, a proposal that was finally accepted in 1936.
However, in 1946 the government of Salta, through the so-called "Law 749", replaced that shield with a new one, which represents the city today.
Meaning
Generally, each and every one of the elements that are observed in a shield have a meaning. This symbology is described below:
Star
In the shield of Salta, the great silver star represents the hero of Argentine independence and civil wars, General Martín Miguel de Güemes.
The star symbolizes the link between the province of Salta and the example of this hero.
This star is based on the decoration that General Güemes and his officers received in 1817.
The six points of the star represent the six defenders and heroes of the city of Salta: officer Martín Miguel Güemes, promoted to general for this action; Captain Mariano Morales; and the sergeants majors Apolinario Saravia and Juan Antonio Rojas.
Regarding the silver color of the star, it is assumed that it symbolizes the name of the nation, Argentina.
Sun
The golden sun in the center of the star is the Sun of the Incas, whose blood runs through the veins of the Argentines.
It also has the symbolic meaning of American independence, freedom, and identity.
Laurel
The laurels that frame the oval represent the victory won in the war of independence.
Colors
The color gold means wealth, nobility and power. The color silver symbolizes the values of integrity and firmness.
Blue relates to justice, loyalty, and truth. And the green color represents faith and hope.
References
- Salta.gov.ar. (without date). Official website of the Government of the Province of Salta. Recovered from salta.gov.ar
- Portaldesalta.gov.ar. (without date). Website "El Escudo de Salta". Recovered from portaldesalta.gov.ar
- Van Meegrot, W. (undated). Web page "Heraldry Argentina". Recovered from heraldicaargentina.com.ar
- Roblespepe (pseudonym). (April 18, 2019). "Shield of the Province of Salta". Recovered from es.wikipedia.org
- Dictionariesdigitales.net (no date). Web page "Shields of Argentina and Its Provinces". Recovered from dictionariesdigitales.net