The coat of arms of Veracruz is one of the oldest in the American continent and dates from the 16th century, granted directly by the Spanish monarchy.
It was exactly on July 4, 1523 when the then King of Spain Carlos I granted the "Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz" a coat of arms that is the same that is currently used as official heraldry.
Although since its original version it has had slight changes in its form, its content has remained practically unaltered.
It includes the word Vera (true in Latin) on a red cross and the castle or tower framed in a traditional form of medieval heraldry in the Castilian style.
History
Through a royal certificate, the Spanish monarchy grants the coat of arms to Veracruz. Since then it has been defined as a golden castle in its upper field, green, and two white columns on a blue background in the lower field.
By 1600 the city of Veracruz takes the name of Nueva Veracruz, but the original shield remains.
The same, in essence, maintains its structure for 300 years although in few times it was seen represented in its entirety.
For example, in an official medal from 1701 you only see the castle with the cross at the top, while at the end of the 16th century the above was seen on the two columns, framed in a medieval heraldry and many more details.
The thirteen stars that are part of the outline of the heraldry were in the official description sent from Castile.
However, in many of its versions they were omitted, and in 1935 the current interpretation began to be used officially, which included all the elements described above without discarding any and including the flower arrangements.
Meaning
The inside of the shield is divided into two halves. The upper one, with a green field, means mainland and refers to New Spain, the American continent. On that green field you can see the golden tower and it means power, strength and greatness.
The lower field, colored blue, represents the sea on the other side of Spain. On this field there are two white towers that support the castle or tower, and they have the Latin inscription "Plus Ultra" which is translated as "beyond" in Spanish.
The cross at the top of the shield has the Latin word Vera, which means truth. When reading the shield from top to bottom it would then say: "Vera-Cruz, Refugio de Indias, of overseas Hispanic power."
Lastly, the border that borders the shield includes thirteen blue stars on a golden field symbolizing the number of provinces that belonged to the jurisdiction of Veracruz.
References
- Government of the State of Veracruz www.veracruz.gob.mx
- Culturarte Mexico - Coat of Arms of Veracruz by Hernán Cortés culturartemexico.blogspot.com
- Old Veracruz - Brief history of the coat of arms of Veracruz
aguapasada.wordpress.com
- Old Veracruz - Description and official meaning of the coat of arms of Veracruz aguapasada.wordpress.com
- Galeon.com - History of the origin of the name and Coat of Arms of Veracruz pepitoramos.galeon.com