Coat of arms of Magdalena Department facts for kids
The coat of arms of Magdalena is the official symbol for the Magdalena region in Colombia. A local artist named Álvaro Corvacho designed it, and the Departmental Assembly officially chose it.
Quick facts for kids Coat of arms of Magdalena |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Versions | |
Alternative version
|
|
Historical coat of arms used from 1861-1886
|
|
| Armiger | The Department of Magdalena. |
| Blazon | Per fess azure, a fess barry of six gules and azure, a pantheon proper, on chief, a snow topped mountain proper and river vert, a sun in his glory issuant from behind Or; on base, a Tayrona pendant Or proper. |
| Other elements | A wreath of olive branches surrounds the arms. |
| Use | Gubernatorial Flag, official paperwork. |
Contents
What Does the Coat of Arms Look Like?
The coat of arms has a special shield shape. The top part has three points, like a Swiss design. The bottom part comes to a point in the middle, like a French design. An olive branch wraps around the shield, with 45 leaves on each side (90 leaves in total). These leaves symbolize peace.
Colors and Their Meanings
The main color of the shield is blue, also known as azure in heraldry. This blue represents the Magdalena River and the Caribbean Sea. Sometimes, the colors in other parts of the shield can change.
What Symbols Are on the Shield?
The shield is split into two main parts by a horizontal band.
Middle Section: Flag and Pantheon
In the middle of the shield, there is a horizontal band. This band shows the flag of the Magdalena Department. On top of the flag, you can see the National Pantheon. This is a special building located in the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino in Magdalena. It honors Simón Bolívar, a hero who helped many South American countries become free, and other national heroes. Placing this building on the flag shows the strong spirit of the people of Magdalena and their commitment to Bolívar's dream.
Top Section: Mountains and Sun
The top part of the shield shows the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. This is a very tall, snow-capped mountain. A bright, shining sun appears from behind the mountain.
The mountain represents the amazing geography of the region, which goes from sea level all the way up to 5,775 meters (about 19,000 feet) high. It also shows the natural resources found there. The sun symbolizes the wisdom and noble spirit of the people.
Bottom Section: Tayrona Pendant
The bottom part of the shield features a golden Tayrona pendant. This is a unique and important piece of jewelry from the ancient Indigenous people who lived in the Magdalena region. It represents their rich culture and history.
- Charges in the coat of arms of Magdalena
-
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
-
National Pantheon of Simón Bolívar in the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino.
-
Tayrona Pendants, Gold Museum of Santa Marta.
How Did the Coat of Arms Come to Be?
The Magdalena Department was created in 1824. It was one of the first nine "Sovereign States" of the United States of Colombia. Back then, it used the Coat of arms of Colombia as its official symbol. It had an oval shape around the shield with the words "ESTADO SOBERANO DEL MAGDALENA" (Sovereign State of Magdalena).
In 1886, the states were changed into departments. With this change, new symbols were needed. The Department of Magdalena held a meeting to decide on a new coat of arms. Many ideas were presented, and finally, the design by painter Alvaro Corpacho was chosen as the official symbol for the department.
See also
In Spanish: Escudo del Magdalena para niños
