Coat of Arms of Dominican Republic facts for kids
The coat of arms of the Dominican Republic is a special symbol that represents the country. It's like a unique picture that tells a story about the Dominican Republic's values and history. You can see it on official documents and even on the country's flag!
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The Dominican Republic's Coat of Arms
What Does It Look Like?
The coat of arms has a shield in the middle. This shield is held up by two important branches: an olive branch on the left and a palm leaf on the right. These branches symbolize peace and victory.
Above the shield, there's a blue ribbon. On this ribbon, you'll find the country's national motto: Dios, Patria, Libertad. This means God, Fatherland, Freedom. Below the shield, a red ribbon proudly displays the words República Dominicana, which means Dominican Republic.
What's Inside the Shield?
Right in the center of the shield, there's an opened Bible. A small cross sits just above the Bible. On each side of the Bible, there are three spears. Two of these spears hold up Dominican flags.
The country's Constitution says the Bible should be open. It doesn't say which page it should be open to. This opened Bible with the cross shows the importance of faith in the Dominican Republic.
A Bit of History
The very first Dominican coat of arms was created in 1844. This was when the first Dominican Constitution was written. Over the years, the design of the coat of arms changed many times. Sometimes, even two different versions were used at the same time!
The official design we see today was finally set in 1913. This happened when Adolfo Nouel was the President of the Dominican Republic. This official design is also known as the Great Seal of the Nation.
You can also spot a smaller version of the coat of arms. It's right in the middle of the white cross on the National Flag.
