Coat of arms of Toledo (Spain) facts for kids
The coat of arms of Toledo is a special symbol. It represents both the city of Toledo, Spain and the Province of Toledo. A coat of arms is like a unique badge or emblem. It tells a story about a place's history and importance.
The City of Toledo's Coat of Arms
The coat of arms for the city of Toledo is very old. It was supposedly given by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. He was also known as Charles I, King of Spain.
This coat of arms features a large, black, double-headed eagle. This eagle is called Sable in heraldry, which means black. The eagle has two heads, showing its imperial power.
On the eagle's chest is a smaller shield, called an escutcheon. This shield shows the symbols of two old kingdoms: Castile and Leon. Their symbols are placed in four sections, or "quartered." At the bottom point of this shield is a symbol for Granada. It is a pomegranate fruit, just like on the current Spanish national coat of arms.
Around the shield is a special chain. This chain is the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. This was a very important knightly order. The entire design is topped with an Imperial crown, showing its royal connection.
Two figures of kings sit on either side of the eagle. They hold a sword and a sceptre. These symbols show their royal power and importance.
Long ago, in 1351, King Peter of Castile made a special rule. He said that Toledo's arms should be the same as the monarch's. During the time of Charles I, the city officially adopted the emperor's arms. The figures of the kings were added to remember old city symbols.
The Province of Toledo's Coat of Arms
Since 2013, the Province of Toledo uses a slightly different coat of arms. It is similar to the city's arms but has some key changes.
It also features the imperial eagle. However, it does not include the Granada symbol (the pomegranate). Instead, its main shield is divided vertically into two halves, which is called party per pale.
The first half shows the symbols of Castile and Leon. The second half represents the old Kingdom of Toledo. This part is Azure (blue) with a golden imperial crown, called Or.
Instead of the two kings, this coat of arms has the pillars of Hercules on either side of the eagle. These pillars are an ancient symbol. They represent the Strait of Gibraltar and the connection to the wider world.
See also
In Spanish: Escudo de Toledo para niños
