Coat of arms of Argentina
The coat of arms of the Argentine Republic or Argentine shield (Spanish: Escudo de la República Argentina) was set in its current shape in 1944. It started with a seal from 1813. It was chosen fast because of a decree on February 22, and it was sealed with the symbol. The first time it was seen in a public document was on March 12, 1813. It said the seal should be used by the government then, called the second triumvirate.
On April 13, the National Assembly chose to put the seal on new silver and gold coins. By April 27, the coat of arms became an official national emblem. Even though it is not on flags today, it has a special place in Argentina’s history. The Buenos Aires-born military leader Manuel Belgrano ordered the coat of arms to be painted on a flag he gave to the city of San Salvador de Jujuy. During the Argentine War of Independence, most flags had the coat of arms, showing how important it was in the country’s early days.
Description
We do not know who made the coat of arms of Argentina. Some stories say three men helped, but there are no clear records.
The coat of arms shows the golden Sun of May, which is also on the flag of Argentina. This sun stands for a bright new start for Argentina, like in the Argentine National Anthem. In the middle, two hands shake, showing unity among the provinces of Argentina. These hands hold a pike with a special hat called a Phrygian cap on top.
The blue and white colors match Argentina’s flag. These colors came from the time when Argentina fought for freedom from Spain in 1810. The shaking hands mean friendship and peace, and the pike shows strength. The red hat stands for freedom, reminding people of the French Revolution. Together, the hands, pike, and hat show Argentina’s motto: “in unity and freedom.” The hat was first worn in a place called Phrygia and later became a symbol of freedom in ancient Rome. Laurel leaves, like those used in the ancient Olympic Games and the 2004 Summer Olympics, stand for victory and honor.
Provincial shields
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