Coat of arms of Colombia
Escudo de la Republica de Colombia |
 |
| Details |
| Adopted |
May 9, 1834 |
| Crest |
An Andean Condor with spread wings holding in its bill an olive's crown facing to the left. On its feet a golden ribbon. |
| Escutcheon |
Equally divided from top to bottom in three parts. Topmost shows two cornucopias on the extremes and in the middle a pomegranate. The cornucopia on the left holds gold spanish coins and the cornucopia to the right holds fruits. In the middle a phrygian cap which is a symbol of freedom. At the bottom two ships , one on the Atlantic and one on the Pacific ocean and the isthmus of Panama in the middle. It used to represent Colombia's ownership of the isthmus, currently it symbolizes Colombia's access to both seas and trade. |
| Supporters |
On both sides two flags of Colombia one behind the other , the one behind sits higher, their flag posts rest oblique with respect to the shield but parallel with respect to each other. |
| Motto |
On top the ribbon with the words Libertad y Orden - Liberty and Order. |
| Other elements |
On the bottom the supporters intertwine. |
| Use |
Presidential flag, official paperwork, military insignia. |
The Coat of Arms of Colombia contains a shield with numerous symbols. Perched on top of the shield is an Andean Condor holding an olive crown and the condor symbolizing freedom. The national motto, Libertad y Orden (Spanish for Liberty and Order), is on a scroll in between the bird and the shield in black font over golden background. The condor is depicted facing front with his wings extended and looking to the right.
Description
The national flag is draped on each side of the shield. The shield is broken into three portions. In the lowermost portion is a depiction of ships, pointing to the maritime history of Colombia, namely to the Isthmus of Panama, which was part of Colombia until 1903. Nowadays represents the two oceans that border the country (Atlantic and Pacific). The sails mean the Colombian commerce with the rest of the world and the rising economy. In the middle section, over a field of platinum, the Phrygian cap is presented; this being a traditional symbol of liberty and freedom. The topmost section contains a pomegranate over a field of azure, as a symbol of the Viceroyalty of New Granada (early colonial name of Colombia back in XIX century), in the middle flanked by two cornucopias or horns of plenty: the one at the right with golden and silver coins and the one at the left with tropical fruits. This portion represents the agricultural and mineral wealth of Colombian soil.
The Coat of Arms of the Republic was designed by Francisco de Paula Santander, and was adopted via Act 3 of May 9, 1834, with later non-essential modifications according to Ordinance 861 of 1924.
Criticism
Some critics have argued that the Coat of Arms is outdated and anachronistic, being the Andean Condor a very threatened species in the country, with barely 100 creatures soaring the landscape. It has also been discussed that the condor is still a vulture and feeds of carrion, making it an animal with a low profile that never hunts its own food. In addition, the andean condor is also the national bird of Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. The pomegranate, being a Mediterranean fruit is not currently cultivated in Colombia and the phrygian cap is of Greek origin. The Isthmus of Panama, no longer belonging to Colombia, has also been suggested to be changed.
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