Coat of arms of Uruguay Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Coat of arms of Uruguay

Versions
1829-1906

Armiger	Oriental Republic of Uruguay
Adopted	19 March 1829
Crest	A Sun of May or
Blazon	Quarterly the 1st: Azure, a Scales of Justice or; the 2nd: Argent in base Barry wavy Argent and Azure, a representation of Cerro de Montevideo (Montevideo Hill) with its fortress on the summit proper; the 3rd: Argent, a horse Sable; the 4th: Azure, an ox Or.
Other elements	The oval is surrounded by a laurel branch on the left and an olive one on the right, joined at the bottom by a blue ribbon or a tie through the leaves/branches
Earlier version(s)	file:Coat of arms of Uruguay (1829-1908).svg

The coat of arms of Uruguay is also called the Uruguayan shield. In Spanish, it's known as Escudo de Armas del Estado. It was first officially used on March 19, 1829. Later, it had small changes in 1906 and 1908. It is believed that Juan Manuel Besnes Irigoyen (1788–1865) designed it.

What Does the Coat of Arms Look Like?
- Symbols on the Shield
How the Design Changed Over Time
Older Versions of the Coat of Arms
Departmental Shields of Uruguay
See also

What Does the Coat of Arms Look Like?

The coat of arms is an oval shield. It is split into four equal parts. A golden rising sun, called the “Sun of May”, sits on top. This sun stands for the start of the Uruguayan nation and the May Revolution.

The oval shield is surrounded by two branches. A laurel branch is on the left, and an olive branch is on the right. These branches mean honor and peace. They are tied together at the bottom with a light blue ribbon. This ribbon represents the old Uruguayan cockade.

Symbols on the Shield

Each part of the shield has a special meaning:

Justice and Fairness

In the top left section, you will see a golden scale on a blue background. This symbol stands for equality and justice for everyone.

Strength and Protection

The top right section shows the Cerro de Montevideo (Montevideo Hill). It has a fortress on its top, set against a silver background. This part of the shield represents strength and protection.

Freedom and Spirit

In the bottom left section, on a silver background, there is a black horse galloping. This horse is a strong symbol of liberty and freedom.

Wealth and Growth

The bottom right section has a golden ox on a blue background. The ox represents abundance and the wealth of the country.

How the Design Changed Over Time

When the coat of arms was first created in 1829, it had many decorations. These included several Uruguayan Flags, weapons, and items related to trade.

However, in 1906, a new law simplified the design. All the extra decorations were removed. This made the coat of arms look cleaner and more standard.