MOGI DAS CRUZES
State : ?
Origin/meaning :
The shield with the leather corselet shot by 3 arrows, on the red field, is a partial reproduction of the artistic historic drawing "Combate de índios botocudos com soldados milicianos de Mogi das Cruzes" that means "Natives of Botocudos tribe fights against soldiers of Mogi das Cruzes".
On the top of the red shield, five escutcheons remind historical facts about Mogi das Cruzes ancient and contemporary life.
The left escutcheon has on its top the "barrel of gold" of the armorial ensigns of Braz Cubas - the Portuguese noble Landlord of the lands and of the farm where was founded the ancient village of "Santa Anna das Cruzes de Mogi " - Saint Anna of the Crosses of Mogi. In the botton of the same escutcheon there is "a thistle branch on the silver field" of the armorial ensigns of Braz Cardoso, other Portuguese Noble that was the village founder at 1611.
The second escutcheon has "a golden snake over a silver banner in a green field", reminding the "Tietê" river that flows through the city and the name "MOGI", that in the native's language means "River of the Snakes" .
The third has "three red crosses drew in the Christ Order style over the silver field", reminding the ancient legend that tells about three crosses that would been built in the churchyard of the first village's church. This is the origin of the name MOGI DAS CRUZES - (Mogi of the crosses).
The fourth has two golden crowns representing the gold mining that was the first activity developed by the "Bandeirantes" 1 on their jouneys through the Tietê river, founding new villages in the inner lands of São Paulo state.
The right escutcheon has a gear that is the symbol of the recent industrial development of the city.
Guarding the Shield, two "Bandeirantes" wearing the traditional leather corselet. One has on his right hand the Saint Anna standard (Saint Anna is the Patroness of the city). The other has on his left hand one "arcabuz" (ancient kind of fire gun like a musket).
Behind them we can see tobbacco leaves and sugar cane plants, reminding 2 traditional plantations of the city in the past. On the red banner, the latin inscription in silver characters "BANDEIRANTES GENS MEA" meaning "My ancestors was "Bandeirantes"
Literature : Image and information send to me by Valter Marcelo da Silva Mello.
coats of arms on-line ! 
