Heraldry of the World

The largest heraldry site on the net, with presently coats of arms on-line !

You are here : Home > Central America > Puerto Rico

 


Civic Heraldry of Puerto Rico

MAYAGÜEZ

Origin/meaning:
The upper left arms are the older arms, the upper right arms show the actual arms. The old arms were designed in 1963 and were replaced in 1996.
The upper half of both arms are based on the historical Coat of Arms granted to Christopher Columbus by Spanish Kings Fernando and Isabella at his returning from Antilles in 1493. It is used to remarks the Mayaguezanian reclaim about be the true place where Columbus landed in Puerto Rico when he discovered the island during his second voyage to America on November 19, 1493.
The castle and lion are derived from the arms of the Spanish Kings at the time, and represent the castle of Castille and the lion of León (see
the Spaninsh national arms).
The five yellow rocks over white and blue wavy bars symbolise the title of "Viceroy of Indies" granted to Columbus by Kings Fernando and Isabella in 1492. Similarly, the five yellow anchors over blue background represent the title of "Ocean Sea's Admiral" granted at the same time (only in the old arms).
The other element, in the old arms in the point, in the new as fourth quarter, show the arms of the Columbus family.

The lower half shows an modern stylised version of the original coat of arms granted by Spanish Regent Queen Maria Cristina to Mayagüez Municipality in 1895. It remarks the moment when main ship of Columbus fleet (there were 17 ships on this second voyage) reached Mayagüez bay for landing. The royal palm trees are indigenous plants from Mayaguezanian coast and valleys, and the blue and white waves symbolise the sea.

Literature : Old image received from Juan Morales, Florida, USA, new from http://flagspot.net/flags/pr-mg.html. Background from Harold Marquez, Mayagüez



Home © Ralf Hartemink 1996, ->

See also my other sites Food-Info.net and Food Dictionary



Disclaimer:
This site is private and non-commercial. All sources are mentioned when known. If you own copyrights to the information provided and are not mentioned, please contact the webmaster.

The information (texts or pictures) of this site may be used for private purposes but only after permission of the webmaster and with credit/link to this site. Be aware that for many non-commercial purposes permission of the (municipal) council to which the arms belong is needed ! When not sure, contact the council.
Use of the images in Wikipedia is allowed with reference to this site and/or the original source as mentioned on the site. Use template {{ngw}} for Dutch images and {{ngw2}} for non-Dutch images and always add original source. It is not allowed to use texts of this site on Wikipedia without permission !

For commercial purposes permission of the council as well as the webmaster of this site is always needed. The webmaster of this site is not responsible for commercial use of the material provided.
Disclaimer last changed on April 29, 2008 (addition Wikipedia templates), previous change January 2007 (addition Wikipedia text), previous change 2001.