Coat of arms of Melilla

The coat of arms of Melilla belongs to the Ducal House of Medina Sidonia, whose leader helped take Melilla in 1497. It shows a male figure throwing a dagger, representing Guzmán el Bueno, an important ancestor of that family. Above the shield is a turret, and the words at the top say Præferre Patriam Liberis Parentem Decet, meaning "It is seemly for a parent to put his fatherland before his children" in Latin. This phrase reminds us of Guzmán el Bueno’s brave actions in 1296 when he helped defend Tarifa for Sancho IV of Castile.

On either side of the coat of arms are the Pillars of Hercules, with the words Non Plus Ultra meaning "Nothing further beyond" in Latin. This coat of arms is the main symbol on the flag of Melilla, which has a pale blue background. The flag was officially adopted on 13 March 1995 when Melilla became an autonomous city of Spain.

History

In January 1913, the leader of Melilla asked permission to use the symbols of the Ducal House of Medina Sidonia as the city's coat of arms. This request was approved in March 1913 by the king at that time.